Last year, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets opened last NFL season in prime time and it ended in disaster, as Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in his Jets debut. He didn't return.
So hey, why not try again?
Only this time, Rodgers is healthy, and this time it's Monday Night Football, as the Jets pay a visit to the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 9, per multiple reports.
This was just one NFL leak ahead of the actual full schedule announcement coming later in the day. But hey, it's the NFL, and we're all obsessed with every moment. Anyway, we also learned Monday that the Dallas Cowboys will open the season at the Cleveland Browns.
But back to Rodgers and the Jets.
"The game between the Jets and 49ers will feature a fascinating quarterback matchup, as Rodgers squares off against Brock Purdy, the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant who has turned into one of the NFL's biggest success stories," wrote Rich Cimini of ESPN. "The 49ers are coming off a crushing defeat in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs."
With Rodgers sidelined, the Jets finished 7-10 last season. On the bright side, Rodgers is 9-3 vs. the Niners. That said, he's no spring chicken anymore and is coming off a major lower leg injury.
So this season again could likely go one of two ways for the Jets. Like, either a total flop or Rodgers gives one last amazing run.
We'll know more on Sept. 9.
"This is a homecoming of sorts for Rodgers, who grew up in Chico, California, and attended UC Berkeley," Cimini wrote. "In 2005, Rodgers had thought there was a chance he'd be drafted first overall by the 49ers, but they opted for Alex Smith."
Bad move there, but it's worked out for the Niners today. The Jets with Rodgers? Yeah, not so much. Not yet. But it's a new NFL day for everybody.
