CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Aaron Rodgers has yet to throw a pass in a game for the New York Jets. He’s already responsible for a long completion.
Zach Wilson showed he can move New York’s offense as a backup quarterback, but the Jets kicked off the Rodgers Era with a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game.
Wilson, whose struggles as a starter the past two seasons sent the Jets on a QB quest that eventually got them Rodgers via trade from Green Bay in April, had some positive moments during his three series.
On his 24th birthday, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft was 3 of 5 passing for 65 yards. Wilson set up the game’s first score with a 57-yard completion to wide receiver Malik Taylor — on a play suggested by Rodgers.
“Great call by Aaron Rodgers,” Wilson said smiling. “I have to give him a shoutout there. We were backed up then and took the shot downfield. Malik’s done great job all camp and I wanted to get a ball to him.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh was pleased with Wilson’s performance.
“Zach did a good job, he was poised and looked comfortable in the pocket,” he said. “It’s just rebuilding that confidence and swag we (saw) during the draft process. No setbacks. It’s all about confidence with him.”
It was a battle of rookies and reserves as both teams rested their starters in the NFL’s inaugural game of 2023.
There was a notable opening-night glitch as a power outage in Tom Benson Stadium caused about a 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 pick, threw a 22-yard TD pass to Austin Watkins Jr. with 9:33 left to put Cleveland ahead.
Thompson-Robinson also threw a block that sprung Demetric Felton, his former UCLA teammate, for a 10-yard TD run.
“It was awesome,” Felton said. “It felt like it was back at UCLA. It was cool.”
Thompson-Robinson said he was happy to lend a shoulder.
“All instincts,” he said. “I’m out there playing as hard as I can for my teammates. I seen Felt was going to cut back and kind of how the hole was going to open up and all he had was one person to be back sideways was the corner. So I figured I’d stick my nose up there real quick.”
Greg Zuerlein kicked field goals of 54, 44 and 53 yards and Israel Abanikanda had a 10-yard touchdown run for the Jets.
