Week 1 loss puts more pressure on Jets to pay Haason Reddick

Haason Reddick stole the spotlight in New York this offseason over a contract dispute with the Jets, initiating a dreaded holdout. As the holdout begins to bleed into the regular season, it’s becoming more apparent than ever that the Jets need to cave and give the star edge-rusher every penny he demands.

The Jets defense looked like it was going to be able to keep up with one of the league's premiere offenses early on in a Week 1 contest against the San Fransisco 49ers on Monday night. Quinnen Williams, blitzing off the edge, and former 49ers DT Javon Kinlaw, bull-rushing C Jake Brendel, forced third-down incompletions on the 49ers' first two drives. Kinlaw's pressure stalled a San Francisco drive that started on the Jets 32-yard line, forcing a Jake Moody field goal.

After the 49ers’ first pair of possessions, however, the narrative flipped on the Jets, and San Francisco had its way with New York's front seven. The 49ers scored on eight consecutive offensive drives to close out a soul-crushing 32-19 home victory.

Brock Purdy was consistently throwing from a clean pocket, allowing plenty of time for WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle and numerous other 49ers weapons to elude coverage. As abysmal as the pass rush was for New York, the run defense was twice as troublesome. Stepping in for the injured Christian McCaffrey, RB Jordan Mason had his way with the Jets defense, racking up 147 rushing yards on 28 carries, including a five-yard touchdown to open the second half.