Aaron Rodgers sees New York Jets' big problem ruthlessly exposed by 49ers on comeback

The San Francisco 49ers crushed the New York Jets on Aaron Rodgers ’ comeback from his torn Achilles injury .

On the first Monday Night Football of the 2024 NFL season, Rodgers’ Jets fell 32-19 to the 49ers . San Francisco, beaten by the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, dictated the tempo with a fine rushing performance despite missing Christian McCaffrey as Jordan Mason stepped up and allowed Kyle Shanahan's team to dominate possession.

While he lasted longer than four snaps this time around, Rodgers and the offense struggled to find a rhythm aside from leading a scoring drive on their third possession. The 40-year-old - competing in his 20th NFL season - connected with Garrett Wilson on four passes for 45 yards before Breece Hall surged into the end zone to score a three-yard touchdown and give the Jets the lead.

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Remarkably, the Jets’ scoring drive lasted 7:07 - longer than any drive they had across the entire 2023 season. However, the offense then faltered and only gained 21 yards on the following 10 plays.

Entering the season amid high expectations, the Jets defense was supposed to remain at the championship-caliber of last season. The unit struggled and was unable to stop the run as the Jets surrendered eight successive scoring drives by the 49ers offense.

Their inability to stop the run looks set to potentially be a big problem for the Jets after being exposed by the 49ers.

After star linebacker C.J. Mosley and cornerback Sauce Gardner were shaken up early, the Jets defense had no answer for a San Francisco rushing attack missing the injured McCaffrey . Mason was the surprise name who stepped up to become the star of the show, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown as his 28 carries was the most he had in a game since high school.

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San Francisco kicker Jake Moody kicked six field goals in the win, while the 49ers found the end zone through Deebo Samuel and Mason. Brock Purdy passed for 231 yards, steadily spreading the ball around without forcing any big plays in a turnover-free performance where the 49ers doubled the Jets in time of possession.

Meanwhile, Rodgers threw for 167 yards, a touchdown - which came when the four-time MVP took advantage of defensive offside to sling a 36-yard strike to Allen Lazard - and an interception off a tipped ball. Aside from the offensive slump midway through the game, Rodgers and co. perhaps showed enough promise to keep spirits high going into Week 2.

Hall finished with 54 rushing yards and the score to go with 39 receiving yards. Rodgers’ connection with Wilson showed promise early, but the third-year receiver finished with 52 yards on five receptions as the 49ers adapted to his presence, allowing Lazard to lead the team with 82 yards. Following Moody's sixth field goal to make it a 21-point game, Rodgers was pulled and replaced by Tyrod Taylor.