Aaron Rodgers rejects excuses about Jets preseason after 49ers loss – as QB opens up on his ‘gratitude’ at finally returning to action from Achilles tear

Aaron Rodgers made comments he doesn’t plan to use again after returning to the field for the New York Jets’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

Rodgers himself didn’t have a standout game, going 13 of 21 for 167 yards. He also had one touchdown and an interception.

Still, the 40-year-old noted that there was plenty of blame to go around. Rather, Rodgers didn’t want to hear how the team had an “excuse” for not beating the reigning NFC champions in Week 1 because he was injured last season.

“That’s definitely an excuse. I’m not going to use that. I don’t think we should,” Rodgers said. “We expect greatness when we step on the field. There were definitely moments, moments that felt really good, but they didn’t last.”

Rodgers then talked about playing his first full NFL game since 2022.

Aaron Rodgers struggled throwing the ball for much of Monday’s game against San Francisco

“Yeah, it’s been a while, it felt great. Very grateful to be back in pads. So many people helped me get here,” Rodgers said. So I’m really grateful for my surgeon, my loved ones, my friends, the staff here, the training staff to help me get back was really cool.”

“Obviously I wanted to take a shot and feel the physicality of it,” Rodgers continued. “Once I threw a couple balls and took a shot, it felt good, it felt like I was in the game.”

Rodgers had no trouble pinpointing areas where the Jets needed to improve during the short week before visiting the Titans.

“We just sucked on first and second down for a lot of the game,” Rodgers said. “There’s a lot to correct, but overall I feel good about our guys. I thought the protection was really good tonight.”

“We weren’t quite on track with the running game, couldn’t get Breece (Hall) going and didn’t give him enough space, but there’s plenty to build on.”

Rodgers’ first pass of the season was dropped by Allen Lazard, with the 40-year-old four-time NFL MVP later connecting with his old Green Bay Packers teammate for a 36-yard score, marking his first touchdown pass in New York’s 32-19 loss.