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 has opened up on the excuses he does not want to take into the future after he returned to the gridiron for the New York Jets loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. 

Rodgers himself did not have a standout game, going 13-for-21 for 167 yards. He also had one touchdown and an interception. 

Yet, the 40-year-old noted there was plenty of blame to go around. On the contrary, Rodgers did not want to hear how because he was out with injury last season how the team had an ‘excuse’ not to beat the defending NFC champions in Week 1. 

‘That’s an excuse, for sure. I’m not gonna use that. I don’t think we should,’ Rodgers said. ‘We expect greatness when we step on the field. There were moments for sure, moments that felt really good, but not sustained.’

Rodgers then opened up about playing in his first full NFL game since 2022.   

‘Yeah, it’s been a while, it felt great. A lot of gratitude just to be back in pads. So many people helped me get to this spot,’ Rodgers said. So I’m really thankful for my surgeon, my loved ones, my friends, the staff here, training staff to help me get back was really cool.’ 

‘Obviously, 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, felt like I was into the game.’