“Aaron Rodgers Takes Responsibility for Jets’ Disappointing Season Opener, Vows to Improve”
Aaron Rodgers emphasized that there are “no excuses” for the New York Jets’ poor start to the 2024 NFL season after a tough 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the Jets’ highly regarded defense, they couldn’t stop San Francisco’s strong running game. Jordan Mason stepped in for Christian McCaffrey and delivered an outstanding performance, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers, who was making his comeback after an Achilles injury cut short his previous season, showed flashes of his old form as he adjusted to the game’s pace.
When asked if the struggles were due to incorporating new offensive players, Rodgers rejected the idea, acknowledging the defense’s difficulties but taking responsibility himself.
He said, “That’s just an excuse. I won’t use it, and we shouldn’t. We expect excellence every time we play.
“There were some good moments, but we couldn’t sustain them. It felt like once we got a first down, we’d start gaining momentum, but those three-and-outs hurt us. A lot of things are fixable, which is good for the coaches. But it’s frustrating for us players because we know how close we are. Still, there’s no time for excuses.
We need to move on quickly to Tennessee, then we have another game four days later. It’s a tough start schedule-wise, but that’s not an excuse. We need to play better, and I need to play better. We’ll bounce back.”
Talking about his return from injury, Rodgers said, “It’s been a while. It felt great to be back in pads. I’m so thankful to all the people who helped me get back here—my surgeon, physical therapist, loved ones, friends, and the staff.
“I wanted to feel the game’s physicality again. Once I threw a few passes and took a hit, I felt good, like I was really back.”
Although he played more than a few snaps this time, the offense struggled to find rhythm except for one scoring drive. The 40-year-old veteran, now in his 20th season, connected with Garrett Wilson for 45 yards on four passes, and Breece Hall ran in a three-yard touchdown to give the Jets an early lead.
“It felt great,” Rodgers said about the scoring drive. “We had some plays where I had a few options, and fortunately, I made the right reads and decisions at the time.”