Saleh: 0-1 with Rodgers better than 1-0 in ’23

A year ago, the New York Jets were 1-0 but reeling in the aftermath of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury. All things considered, their current 0-1 start actually feels better than last season, according to coach Robert Saleh.

“You know what? Unfortunately, it does,” Saleh said Tuesday, several hours after being dominated by the San Francisco 49ers in a 32-19 loss at Levi’s Stadium.

The 40-year-old Rodgers emerged unscathed from his first extensive action in 20 months, perhaps the only silver lining in a loss best described by wide receiver Garrett Wilson: “They whupped our ass, and that’s the reality of it.”

After being outclassed by the 49ers, his previous team, Saleh tried to put a positive spin on the Jets’ situation. He insisted the offense was better than it looked and vowed to get the defense — the hallmark of the team — turned around.

“It’s definitely going to get fixed,” Saleh said. “I’m not discouraged in any way. Obviously, they executed a hell of a lot better than we did, and we’ll be better for it.”

The Jets, who next face the Tennessee Titans (0-1) on the road, allowed eight consecutive scoring drives — a stunning meltdown for a prideful defensive unit that finished No. 3 in yards allowed in 2023. It had been at least 45 years since they surrendered that many scoring drives in a row, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Kept off-balance by the 49ers’ pre-snap motion and misdirection, the Jets were shredded for 147 rushing yards by Christian McCaffrey’s understudy, Jordan Mason. Afterward, Saleh and the players were quick to credit the 49ers and their scheme.

“They’re a good football team,” said cornerback Sauce Gardner, who missed nine snaps because he got the wind knocked out of him. “You know, they just played in the Super Bowl.”

The Jets, with eight returning starters on defense, brought Super Bowl aspirations into the season. Except for a seven-minute touchdown drive in the first quarter, they were thoroughly outplayed — a wake-up call, some players said. They missed 18 tackles, per Pro Football Focus, and generated little pass rush without holdout edge rusher Haason Reddick.

The offense, too, was responsible, as it was unable to sustain drives. They held the ball for only 21 minutes, 20 seconds, the lowest time of possession in Rodgers’ 225 career starts. Rodgers threw an interception, Breece Hall lost a fumble and Allen Lazard dropped a third-down pass — among the biggest miscues.

The Jets looked out of sync, perhaps because none of the starters played in the preseason. Saleh insisted “there’s a lot of confidence on that side” of the ball, adding, “Our offense can be really good this year.”

It can only go up after last season, when they produced a league-low 18 touchdowns. On Monday night, the starting unit generated only two touchdowns, including a 12-play, 70-yard drive that lasted longer (7:07) than any drive last season.

“I think our offense is in a really good place,” Saleh said. “I thought it was a good first outing in terms of the quarterback hadn’t played in so long. But there was a lot of encouraging things, and I know it’s going to be a lot better once we balance out this team.”

Rodgers (13-of-21, 167 yards, one touchdown) wasn’t happy with his performance, but was grateful to be back on the field. The team echoed that sentiment, especially after last season’s devastating injury.

“There’s no panic in him, for sure,” Saleh said of the future Hall of Famer. “He was a calm force on the sideline, and I think [Monday] night provided a lot of closure for him with regards to finishing the game and knocking that out.”

Actually, Rodgers was pulled late in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. But at least he was able to walk off the field.