Zach Wilson confirmed he can transfer New York’s offense as a backup quarterback, however the Jets kicked off the Aaron Rodgers Period with a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night time within the Corridor of Fame sport.
It was a battle of rookies and reserves as each groups rested their starters within the NFL’s inaugural sport of 2023.
There was a notable opening-night glitch as an influence outage in Tom Benson Stadium brought about a couple of 20-minute delay between the third and fourth quarters.
Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson rallied the Browns with a pair of second-half touchdowns. Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round decide, threw a 22-yard TD move to Austin Watkins Jr with 9:33 left to place Cleveland forward.
Wilson, whose struggles as a starter the previous two seasons despatched the Jets on a QB quest that ultimately bought them Rodgers by way of commerce from Inexperienced Bay in April, had some optimistic moments throughout his three collection.
On his twenty fourth birthday, the No 2 general decide within the 2021 draft was 3 of 5 passing for 65 yards. Wilson arrange the sport’s first rating with a 57-yard completion to huge receiver Malik Taylor.
Jets coach Robert Saleh was happy with Wilson’s efficiency.
“I assumed he did a very nice job working the offense,” Saleh stated at halftime. “He had a very nice go-ball on the left aspect. Thought he did a very nice job for us, first day out.”
Greg Zuerlein kicked subject targets of 54, 44 and 53 yards and Israel Abanikanda had a 10-yard landing run for the Jets.
Demetric Felton Jr had a 10-yard TD run for Cleveland, his scamper sprung by Thompson-Robinson’s seal block on the sting.
Rodgers was a high-profile spectator.
The four-time MVP watched from the sideline carrying black Jets gear and a headset, giving him extra the look of an assistant coach than star quarterback. On Wednesday, Rodgers toured the Corridor of Fame and bought an up-close view of a spot the place he’ll in the future be enshrined.
Earlier than that, he’s purported to return New York’s franchise to glory.
The 39-year-old isn’t anticipated to play this preseason – he hasn’t since 2018 – and stated earlier this week that upcoming joint practices in opposition to Tampa Bay and Carolina will assist him put together for the 11 September season opener in opposition to Buffalo.
The Browns sat quarterback Deshaun Watson, who like Rodgers, is predicted to do massive issues in his second yr with Cleveland.
Watson went 3-3 after coming back from his 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage after he was accused by two dozen girls of sexual harassment and assault throughout therapeutic massage remedy periods whereas he performed for Houston.
Kellen Mond began for the Browns and performed the primary half, going 7 of 12 for 49 yards with a TD move and an interception. Thompson-Robinson completed 8 of 11 for 82 yards.
