The NFL's ongoing week one extravaganza has already had some exciting matchups and great games, but this Monday nighter between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers is the one contest that literally has everything.
An elite organization that now routinely fumble contract negotiations with its biggest stars? Check. The most dysfunctional organization in football, trying to resurrect the glory days of an aging superstar QB in the hopes that he can lead them to a title after a devastating injury? Check again. There's more, too, so let's look at some of the relevant details.
Jets training camp was all about Aaron Rodgers. The Jets quarterback became an international man of mystery when he skipped mini-camp to go to Egypt, but when he returned, Rodgers was surprisingly normal. He made some positive comments about enjoying a tough camp, and Rodgers avoided talking about other issues, which has been his trademark in recent years.
This was a huge relief for embattled coach Robert Saleh, who desperately needs Rodgers to get back on the field and return to form after last year's Achilles tear that took him out early in the Jets first game. New York ended up suffing through another year of Zach Wilson, and as Rodgers himself has noted, if he doesn't play well, both the QB and coach will likely get the gate.
The Jets defense is the other big reason that may not happen. They've been stout for several years now, and the fact that they eat quarterbacks should give San Francisco concerns given that Brock Purdy had some shaky moments during the preseason.
San Francisco 49ers Team Review
For an elite organization coming off yet another Super Bowl appearance, the 49ers had a ton of turmoil. Most of it was about injuries and contract appearances, with the former representing a larger concern than the latter. Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams got most of the headlines, but the deals got done near the end of camp, just like they always do.
The injuries are a different story. Camp injuries are common, of course, but at one point during camp San Francisco had so many that they had to cancel joint practices with the Saints. Everyone is healthy now save for rookie Ricky Pearsall, who somehow lived through a terrifying incident in which he was shot in the chest while shopping for luggage in downtown San Francisco.
Star quarterback Brock Purdy had a subpar preseason, but no one seems especially concerned about that, especially since one of his bad days occurred when coach Kyle Shanahan inexplicably put him on the field with the backups.
Who to Watch
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers is the obvious answer here, but keep an eye on Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, too. Wilson wants to hit a new level now that he has a real quarterback throwing to him, and he and Rodgers had some interesting back-and-forth during the preseason when Rodgers reportedly looked slow and old at times. Hall, meanwhile, is the guy who needs to make the quarterback's life a lot easier by providing the kind of consistent ground game the Jets need.
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey will be the man under the microscope for the 49ers. He's managed to stay healthy during his tenure in San Francisco, but a preseason calf injury as the Niners thinking nervously about his days with the Panthers, when he was constantly out or nicked up. If he's not in the San Francisco offense could easily struggle despite the presence of George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk.
This article was originally written by Bob McCullough
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