The New York Jets kicked off the Aaron Rodgers Era with a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game.
It was a battle of rookies and reserves as both teams rested their starters in the NFL’s inaugural game of 2023.
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.
On his 24th birthday, Jets QB Zach Wilson was 3 of 5 passing for 65 yards. He set up the game’s first score with a 57-yard completion to wide receiver Malik Taylor.
Greg Zuerlein kicked field goals of 54, 44 and 53 yards and Israel Abanikanda had a 10-yard touchdown run for the Jets.
