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.
RL: It would be presumptuous to think Aaron Rodgers will automatically pick up where he left off in 2022 and be the same indomitable force in his first full game as the Jets QB as he was during, say, his four NFL MVP seasons as a Packer. But A-Rod's offseason and training camp and his weekly remarks speak to his being ready to resume his career at his high level. Then there are those metrics and splits that may mean nothing but may mean everything. His regular-season record against the 49ers, for instance, is good against these traditionally tough foes, 6-3 overall and 3-2 by the bay. But his passer rating in those 9 games is a sparkling 107.5, in large part because he's thrown only 2 INTs in his 331 career attempts and hasn't thrown a pick in his last 196 RS attempts vs. the Niners. And we've all heard of Mr. Rodgers' Monday night prowess — 10 consecutive wins, with one more on Monday tying Ken Stabler's for starting QBs of 11 straight "MNF" wins. Factor in the improved Jets offense around him and place that ever-present chip on his shoulder and it just seems like, win or lose, Rodgers is ready once again to put on a show.
CH: I expect a good game from Aaron Rodgers vs. the 49ers in his return. Not only does Rodgers have the highest career passer rating (103.6) in NFL history, but he also has the highest career passer rating in primetime (105.5) with at least 400 pass attempts. Specifically, against the 49ers, Rodgers has the highest passer rating as a starter by any QB against the opponent (with a minimum of 10 starts). The Jets rebuilt the offensive line this offseason with Tyron Smith, John Simpson and Morgan Moses. The three additions should give Rodgers even more time in the pocket. Since 2021, when Rodgers has no pressure, his completion percentage skyrockets from 40.8% to 73.2% and his passer rating jumps from 61.6 to 111.4. While the 49ers' defense allowed the third -fewest points per game last season (17.5), Rodgers has weapons like Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams whom he will be using in different ways. We have been able to see glimpses of the offense at work in joint practices throughout training camp this summer, but we have not seen them in game action. I expect everyone to bring their A-game, particularly the Jets QB who said he "always" plays with a chip on his shoulder. So, if history repeats itself, Rodgers should have a top tier game on Monday night.
JP: I expect Aaron Rodgers to play conservatively over the first quarter and half and as he becomes more comfortable playing in his first game in close to a calendar year and then take over the game and play more like the four-time MVP he is. In Rodgers' last five season openers, excluding last season when he played four snaps before rupturing his left Achilles tendon, he has thrown 8 touchdowns, 3 interceptions and completed 65% of his passes for 236.2 yards per game. The Packers were 3-2 over that stretch. Rodgers, 40, looked sharp in training camp spraying throws to all parts of the field. As Monday night's game goes along, Rodgers and his young receivers (average age 25 years old) will need to shake off some rust. Expect a quiet first half followed by an explosive second half that looks similar to how Rodgers performed in the joint practice with the Giants. In the Jets' practice against their rival, Rodgers connected with star WR Garrett Wilson for a long touchdown and led the team on a two-minute touchdown drive.
