New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers will be making his official return from a torn Achilles on primetime, kicking off Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Rodgers tore his Achilles on Monday Night Football to start the 2023 season against the Buffalo Bills. Ironically enough, Leonard Floyd, the player who ended Rodgers' season, will be suiting up for the 49ers in this game.
This is just the latest 2024 NFL schedule leak ahead of the full release on Wednesday. Three other matchups had already been known: the Ravens vs. Chiefs season opener on Thursday Night Football, Packers vs. Eagles in Brazil on Sept. 6 and Cowboys vs. Browns on Sept. 8 for Tom Brady's first game as a broadcaster.
Aaron Rodgers' Jets return
The Jets had Super Bowl expectations after trading for Aaron Rodgers, but those were dashed just plays into their Week 1 showdown against the Bills on Monday Night Football last season. Zach Wilson was thrust back into the starting quarterback role after Rodgers' season-ending injury, with predictable results. Wilson stunk it up again as New York stumbled to a 7-10 record, and he ultimately got traded to the Denver Broncos.
Rodgers initially thought his career was over when he suffered the injury, but the 40-year-old is returning and bringing Super Bowl hopes with him yet again. The question is just how effective he'll be at that age after that injury. While he tried to sell a historic return from the injury last season before ultimately not coming back, it's still fair to wonder how good he'll be.
The Jets did make some notable moves this offseason to help out Rodgers on offense, signing Mike Williams and drafting Malachi Corley to bolster the wide receiver corps led by Garrett Wilson. Eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith was added to the offensive line to protect Rodgers, while guard John Simpson was also signed and Morgan Moses was acquired in a trade to improve the line. Plus, Olu Fashanu was drafted in the first round and Tyrod Taylor was brought in to be Rodgers' backup.
49ers trying to get over hump
The Jets will face a fellow Super Bowl hopeful in the 49ers, who are coming off yet another heartbreaking Big Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the second time in the last five seasons in which the 49ers lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco returns a loaded roster led by Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy, making for a fun quarterback matchup in Week 1. There has been some trade drama for the 49ers this offseason, with rumors swirling around Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. However, it looks like both players will be on the Niners when this Week 1 showdown rolls around.
One link between the 49ers and Jets is Javon Kinlaw, who departed San Francisco for New York this offseason after four seasons. Kinlaw, the No. 14 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was a disappointment for the Niners, but he's coming off a career-high 3.5 sacks will look to help out a Jets defense holding high expectations yet again.
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