In the Monday night football In the spotlight: The San Francisco 49ers host the New York Jets, with storylines surrounding the teams and a history that ties the clubs together.

Keep in mind that Jets head coach Robert Saleh was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator for four years (2017-2020) before becoming Gang Green’s lead skipper. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed disappointment that the 49ers passed on him in the 2005 draft. New York signed defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, who San Francisco selected in the first round of the 2020 draft.

Both teams, however, have had player holdouts, and the Jets still don’t know when edge rusher Haason Reddick will join them. Last week, the 49ers signed contract extensions with wideout Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams.

Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the Jets’ 2023 season opener, so this should be his first full game with Gang Green.

Michelino went against general expectations to stay with the Jets, as he can imagine the 49ers will suffer from rust in the offseason.

“Okay, I’ll say it. I believe the Jets are legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2024, and I LOVE them to get 4.5 points here. Maybe I’m blinded by the immense talent on this defense (Reddick’s denial notwithstanding), or the revamped offensive line, or the fact that we’re about to witness perhaps the biggest season-to-season skill jump at the quarterback position in NFL history.

“But even if that weren’t the case, I have serious concerns about the Niners jumping right into the swing of things after a tumultuous preseason with their stars. In this era of already reduced training camps, I get weary when key players accelerate their rebuild after being limited by injuries or hold-ins/hold-outs that impact their preparation.

“With Rodgers salivating at the thought of being back in top form and leading the most talented squad he’s played on in years, I think we’re in for a very exciting game that will be decided by the difference of a field goal.”

Score prediction: 49ers 24, Jets 19

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