The New York Jets will re-start their Aaron Rodgers era on Monday Night Football once again.
The Jets began their 2023 season under the lights at MetLife Stadium against the Buffalo Bills in a divisional Monday night matchup, which saw their brand new quarterback tear his Achilles just four snaps into the game.
However, after a woeful campaign which saw New York miss out on the playoffs once again, the Jets and Rodgers have been handed a second chance at a blockbuster opener.
Rodgers and co. have been dealt a tough opponent for the Monday night slot for a second-straight season, this time taking on the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers on September 9 opener.
But unlike last season, the veteran signal caller will not be running out of the tunnel with an American flag to the raucous crowd of New Yorkers. Instead, the Jets will make to the West Coast with the primetime showdown taking place at Levi’s Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers is gearing up for what the Jets hope will be his first full season with the team
The Niners present a tough challenge for the Jets, who went 7-10 amid struggles in the quarterback room, after Brock Purdy led the franchise to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers fell painfully short in Las Vegas, suffering defeat at the hand of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime.
It marked the second straight year that San Francisco had come agonizingly close to victory after missing out on booking their ticket to Super Bowl LVII following an NFC Championship game demolition against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2022 season.
Last season has initially provided so much promise for the Jets when Rodgers waved goodbye to the Green Bay Packers and rocked up in New Jersey.
Then, of course, came that fateful debut against the Buffalo Bills on Week 1, when the four-time NFL MVP ruptured his Achilles tendon after just four snaps to end his season a whole lot earlier than planned.
Rodgers’ speed of recovery also came significantly quicker than anyone expected, even sparking rumors of a potential return should Robert Saleh’s team have made it through to the postseason. In the end, that pipe-dream slowly slipped away and the legendary quarterback’s attention quickly turned towards 2024.
Now, his and his team’s focus will be on taking down Goliath in Week 1 when they travel to San Francisco.
More to follow.
