For the first game of the Aaron Rodgers era, the New York Jets are set to host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football in Week 1. With how the Bills have performed in recent seasons, they’ll enter as field-goal favorites over the Jets in the season opener.
Expectations are astronomical for both teams in this divisional matchup as both franchises have their sights on one thing: the Super Bowl. We’ll also get two gunslinging quarterbacks squaring off against one another, though, Rodgers is 12 years older than Josh Allen.
Buy Jets TicketsOn a team that is looking to get off to a fast start in 20233, here are six players from the Jets to watch in Monday’s much-anticipated showdown against the Bills.
QB Aaron Rodgers
Acquiring Rodgers was a move the Jets made because they believe they’re a quarterback away from contending for a Super Bowl. The future Hall of Fame will make his debut for the Jets at home against a divisional foe on primetime television, so all eyes will be on how he performs following a forgettable 2022 campaign with the Green Bay Packers.
The Jets have lost five of their last six meetings versus the Bills, making this a potential statement game for a team that has aspirations for more than just clinching a playoff berth. Rodgers seems to have a strong connection with Garrett Wilson and it’d be a welcomed sight for the offense to show flashes of brilliance in Week 1.
RB Breece Hall
Breece Hall looked special in his rookie campaign in 2022 before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. The second-year back was brought along slowly during the offseason, but he’s been practicing ahead of Week 1 and Robert Saleh indicated that he isn’t working with any limitations right now.
Along with Hall, the Jets signed veteran Dalvin Cook to add more firepower to the backfield. It remains to be seen how much work Hall and Cook both get once we see them in action alongside Rodgers. We could potentially see Hall play a similar role to Aaron Jones, who was a reliable dual-threat back for Rodgers during his tenure with the Packers.
OT Mekhi Becton
Without question, the biggest concern surrounding the Jets is their offensive line. Since OTAs, Rodgers and the coaching staff have expressed frustration with the offensive line’s performance in the preseason and training camp.
After taking a cautious approach with Mekhi Becton this offseason as he’s started in one game since 2021, the former 11th overall pick is set to start at right tackle for the Jets. While the Jets won’t be tasked with having to face Von Miller in Week 1, a positive outing from Becton and the offensive line would be a major step in the right direction.
DE Jermaine Johnson
Heading into the 2023 season, the Jets boast one of the deepest pass-rushing units in the NFL. Carlos Dunlap and John Franklin-Myers are the listed starters off of the edge, but Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald IV, and Bryce Huff will rotate in.
Johnson is entering his second season upon being taken with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. As a rookie, Johnson played on only 34 percent of New York’s defensive snaps, logging 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. Even though Johnson won’t be starting, the second-year edge rusher is poised for an expanded role, beginning in Week 1 versus the Bills.
CB Sauce Gardner
Sauce Gardner was terrific out of the gate for the Jets in 2022, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The star cornerback was also named a first-team All-Pro as a rookie following a 2022 campaign in which he posted 75 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
There is no reason to believe Gardner won’t pick back up from where he left off a season ago. Gardner will likely be tasked with shadowing Stefon Diggs, on Monday night, which is a challenge the former No. 4 overall pick is undoubtedly looking forward to.
S Tony Adams
One player that made a name for himself throughout the offseason was Tony Adams. Even after signing veteran Adrian Amos in the offseason, the Jets are expected to start Adams at safety alongside Jordan Whitehead.
Adams, who was an undrafted rookie out of Illinois in 2022, was active in 11 games last season and made only one start. But with a strong showing in training camp and the preseason, Adams is slated to be a difference-maker in New York’s secondary and he’ll certainly be needed in Week 1 versus the Bills.
