Jets kick off Aaron Rodgers period with loss to Browns in Corridor of Fame recreation

Sports activities

The Patriots’ division rival had a disappointing first preseason recreation.

Dave Richard
Jets quarterbacks (from left) Aaron Rodgers, Zach Wilson, and Tim Boyle after about half the lights on the stadium went out throughout the second half.

By Tom Withers, The Boston Globe

CANTON, Ohio — 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 recreation.

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It was a battle of rookies and reserves as each groups rested their starters within the NFL’s inaugural recreation of 2023.

There was a notable opening-night glitch as an influence outage in Tom Benson Stadium prompted 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 go 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 acquired them Rodgers by way of commerce from Inexperienced Bay in April, had some optimistic moments throughout his three sequence.

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 broad receiver Malik Taylor.

Jets coach Robert Saleh was happy with Wilson’s efficiency.

“I believed he did a very nice job operating the offense,” Saleh mentioned at halftime. “He had a very nice go-ball on the left facet. Thought he did a very nice job for us, first day out.”

Greg Zuerlein kicked area 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 sporting 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 acquired an up-close view of a spot the place he’ll sooner or later be enshrined.

Earlier than that, he’s speculated to return New York’s franchise to glory.

The 39-year-old is just not anticipated to play this preseason — he hasn’t since 2018 — and mentioned earlier this week that upcoming joint practices in opposition to Tampa Bay and Carolina will assist him put together for the Sept. 11 season opener in opposition to Buffalo.

The Browns sat quarterback Deshaun Watson, who like Rodgers, is anticipated to do huge issues in his second 12 months with Cleveland.

Watson went 3-3 after getting 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 classes 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 go and an interception. Thompson-Robinson completed 8 of 11 for 82 yards.