Jets' Garrett Wilson addresses harsh 'reality' of 49ers beatdown

The New York Jets were thoroughly outplayed for the bulk of Monday night's humbling 32-19 season-opening loss at the San Francisco 49ers.

Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson spoke with reporters after the game about where the two clubs are in their pursuit of a Super Bowl championship. 

"You realize all the sudden you not there," Wilson admitted about the defeat, as shared by Ben Krimmel of SNY. "We gotta go prepare, get better every week, every day, every rep, truly. Because we’re not there yet. They whooped our a— today and that's the reality of it. We've got to find a way to get better. The great teams will bounce back from this and that's what we plan to do."

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who didn't play during the preseason coming off the torn Achilles he suffered four offensive snaps into New York's 2023 Week 1 contest, was a mixed bag and showed signs of rust as he completed 13-of-21 passes for 167 yards with a touchdown and an interception before backup Tyrod Taylor replaced the future Hall of Famer during garbage time. 

Perhaps more worrisome for the Jets, a defensive unit that was advertised as the team's main strength seemed to need pass-rusher Haason Reddick.

Reddick has remained away from the Jets for months amid his desire for a contract extension. Without him, New York's defense allowed 401 total yards to the 49ers. 

As for Rodgers, ESPN's Rich Cimini pointed out that the 40-year-old completed only five of 12 passes of 10 yards or fewer (not counting designed screens) for 46 yards and the pick. Per Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post, the 49ers ran 44 of the game’s next 51 plays after the Jets took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter. 

"We gotta stay on the field," Wilson added about Gang Green's offense. "We’re shooting ourselves in the foot. We gotta find ways to keep the drives rolling and all the sudden these plays that y’all seeing glimpses [of] will happen a little more often. We gotta find ways to stack plays and stack drives."

The Jets next play at the 0-1 Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday afternoon. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed New York as a four-point favorite for that matchup. 

"We expect greatness when we step on the field," Rodgers said after Monday's loss, according to Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "...We're going to move on to Tennessee quickly and then we've got a game (at home against the New England Patriots) four days after that. This is a tough opener for us, travel-wise and schedule-wise, but no excuses. We have to play better. I have to play better. We'll bounce back next week."