3 potential problems 49ers need to fix before hosting Jets on Monday night

The 49ers open up the regular season at home against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, but these problems could get in the way of a win if not addressed.

In less than a week, we'll know whether or not the San Francisco 49ers kicked off their 2024 campaign on the right foot, evaluating Week 1's Monday Night Football contest against the visiting New York Jets when they come to Levi's Stadium.

Both teams have had all offseason to prepare for this game, and it being a primetime bout means the rest of the NFL world will be watching closely, too.

Sure, the Niners are keenly aware they've had quarterback Aaron Rodgers' number in the postseason over the years. But he's 6-3 against San Francisco during the regular season, albeit solely with his former team, the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers is a potential problem, yes. But head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad has to contend with a Jets defensive line that Pro Football Focus ranked No. 1 entering the new season.

That sheds light on just one issue Shanahan and the 49ers need to address before kickoff.

No. 1: Getting Trent Williams, rest of O-line back into football shape

The Niners finally came to an agreement with perennial All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, ending his offseason-long holdout and allowing the future Hall of Famer to return to practice.

No doubt, Williams stayed in shape while away from the team, but that's different than being 100-percent prepared for game day. Sure, he's immersing himself back into the same scheme he's known since 2020, but there'll likely be an adjustment.

Additionally, left guard Aaron Banks missed much of the preseason because of a broken finger, and he'll be back in the fray after rehabbing the injury.

Getting the offensive line to jell against a top D-line is crucial.

At least, for now, Gang Green's elite edge rusher, Haason Reddick, continues his own holdout.

No. 2: 49ers' pass-rushing depth

While PFF ranked New York's D-line No. 1 in the league, San Francisco's own ranked No. 2. But it's fair to question the depth behind the starting four: Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd.

Especially with reserve edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) still missing practice in the week up to opening night.

The 49ers' crop of backup pass-rushers includes Robert Beal Jr. on the 53-man roster and practice squad call-up options like Jonathan Garvin and Alex Barrett, which isn't exactly an inspiring group.

If Gross-Matos remains unavailable, the Niners' defensive rotation up front might be difficult to maintain, meaning an aging-but-effective Rodgers could pick apart San Francisco's defense with much greater ease.

No. 3: Missed tackles

Preseason games don't reveal much, but one of the glaring problems San Francisco displayed over the three-game exhibition period was missing tackles.

Granted, the 49ers don't practice live tackling in training camp, per the players themselves. But this was an issue from starting-caliber players to the backups, many of whom are no longer on the roster.

PFF gave the Niners a 38.2 preseason tackling grade as a team, third worst in the entire NFL, and their 32 missed tackles over that span were near the top of clubs heading into Week 1.

Concerningly, missing tackles against the run was an issue that plagued San Francisco for much of 2023, too.

The Jets will look to take advantage of this with their tackle-breaking running back, Breece Hall, whose 1,585 scrimmage yards in 2023 ranked second in the league, trailing only the 49ers' own, running back Christian McCaffrey.

Perhaps the Niners spent extra time on tackling technique in the days since the preseason ended, because they'll need the added work when hosting Hall, Rodgers and the Jets on Monday, Sept. 9.

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