Thompson-Robinson shines as Browns beat Jets in NFL preseason opener

The 2023 NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday as Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson rallied with a pair of second-half touchdowns to spoil the start of the New York Jets‘ Aaron Rodgers-era with a 21-16 win in the Hall of Fame game.

Cleveland, playing less than an hour from its home stadium, trailed 13-0 early before rallying to post a 21-16 win over the Jets, who played without the services of new starting quarterback Rodgers. 

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick, started the Browns’ second-half comeback with a 22-yard TD pass to Austin Watkins Jr. and 9:33 left in the third to put Cleveland ahead. He finished the game having completed 8 of 11 attempts for 82 yards.

It was a battle of rookies and reserves as both teams rested their starters in the NFL’s inaugural game ahead of the 2023 season.

Backup Jets QB Zach Wilson only played a quarter but showed he can move and had some positive moments throwing the ball, but questions will remain on his future after this game.

There was also a notable opening-night glitch as a power outage in Tom Benson Stadium caused about a 20-minute delay between the third and fourth quarters.

In the midst of the action, new Jets superstar Rodgers was a high-profile spectator, and the four-time MVP watched from the sideline wearing black Jets gear and a headset, giving him more the look of an assistant coach than star quarterback. 

On Wednesday, Rodgers toured the Hall of Fame and got an up-close view of a place where he’ll one day be enshrined.

The 39-year-old is not expected to play this preseason – he hasn’t since 2018 – and said earlier this week that upcoming joint practices against Tampa Bay and Carolina will help him prepare for the September 11 season opener against Buffalo.

The Browns sat quarterback Deshaun Watson, who like Rodgers, is expected to do big things in his second year with Cleveland.