49ers ruin Aaron Rodgers' fourth snap of 2024 with Fred Warner fumble

With two of the best overall rosters in the league facing off when the Christian McCaffrey-less San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets squaring off against one another on the inaugural Monday Night Football game of the 2024 season, it became clear that whoever ends up dropping this contest will likely be the team that makes more mental mistakes.

The Jets saw their season effectively end on the fourth play of the 2023 season when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. The 49ers made sure that their fourth play of the following season was also a stinger for Gang Green, thanks to the standout play of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.

After the offenses traded quick 3-and-outs as they shook off the rust, Rodgers completed his first pass as a Jet by dumping the ball to Breece Hall on a quick screen pass. As Hall was trying to make a move, Warner punched the ball out as San Francisco recovered.

The 49ers managed to strike first in this game, taking a quick 3-0 lead after Jake Moody banged in a 46-yard field goal. Against a very strong Jets defense, getting on the board first and making Rodgers sweat is a surefire way to get things started on the right foot.

Fred Warner forces Jets fumble on Aaron Rodgers' fourth snap of 2024

Hall is not a fumbler, as this cough up was just the second of his career. The first, oddly enough, came in his first career game. This makes Warner's fumble even more impressive, though it furthered his reputation as a player who steps up in big games like this.

The 49ers did allow Rodgers and Hall to get their revenge shortly thereafter, however. The Jets had a 12-play drive that ended with Hall plunging into the end zone and putting New York up 7-3 late in the first quarter. Still, that drive, was more on the secondary than Warner's unit.

Warner will be needed for more big plays if the 49ers are to start off the season 1-0. Considering that he has always answered the call when needed in the past, 49ers fans should still feel confident in their defense despite the competition.