2024-09-09 19:20:02
Throughout the offseason, NewYorkJets.com reporters Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg, Randy Lange, Caroline Hendershot and John Pullano will give their responses to a series of questions regarding this year’s Jets.
Today’s question: What do you expect from Jets QB Aaron Rodgers vs. 49ers in his return to action?
EA: San Francisco HC Kyle Shanahan hired defensive coordinator in Nick Sorensen to lead a unit that features DE Nick Bosa, LB Fred Warner and CB Charvarius Ward. The Jets will counter with Aaron Rodgers, an improved offensive line and young skill position stars in addition to intriguing wide receiver options in Mike Williams and Malachi Corley. In nine regular-season games against the ‘Niners, Rodgers, a Chico, CA, native who played collegiately at Butte JC and California, has completed 66.2% of his passes with 20 TDs and 2 TDs while posting a QB rating of 107.5 While Rodgers is 40 and he’s returning from an Achilles tendon tear and he hasn’t seen game action in 364 days, he remains a gifted physical talent with a special football mind. Rodgers was awesome throughout the summer, and I anticipate he’ll have a good night against the ‘Niners. If he’s on the field, the Jets have a chance to win any game they play – including Monday – this season. Consider what All-Pro LB Warner said this week of Rodgers: “He always had the savvy, the ability to extend plays, make the big plays, keep control of the game, make the plays in the big-time moments. So there’s nothing you can pinpoint, like, ‘We got to stop him from doing this.’ You have to prepare for it all, so we’ll have a big test ahead of us.”
EG: I expect an impressive performance. I won’t put numbers behind it, but I think fans watching Monday night’s game will come away impressed with Aaron Rodgers, who has a career 103.9 passer rating against the 49ers, after he missed last season. He was certainly impressive throughout training camp throwing the ball and he showed his mobility coming off an Achilles tendon injury. The Jets have the pieces to be one of the league’s best offenses, but the biggest question is how long it will take the unit to jell. Teams with continuity take time to find a rhythm. Almost all the Green & White’s starters on offense, which includes three new offensive linemen, did not play in the preseason. Robert Saleh said the Jets increased their reps throughout training camp to simulate game-like situations to hit the ground running. While Rodgers could be considered a new piece, given he has yet to complete a pass in the regular season for the Jets, he already has chemistry with third-year WR Garrett Wilson and WR Allen Lazard, who was his teammate for five seasons with the Packers.
