Rodgers Delivers in Steelers Debut with Win Over Former Team
In a game charged with personal stakes, Aaron Rodgers guided the Steelers to a 34-32 victory over the Jets, the team that once cut ties with him abruptly.
“It felt good to win against everyone connected to the Jets,” Rodgers said after throwing for 244 yards and four touchdowns in his first appearance with Pittsburgh.
His time with the Jets spanned two frustrating seasons. A torn Achilles derailed his first campaign almost immediately, followed by a second year marred by organizational struggles that saw the team fade early. Sunday’s performance offered a brief look at what might have been.
This wasn’t peak Rodgers. At 41, he lacks the mobility and daring of his prime years in Green Bay. He’s more deliberate now, quicker to release the ball to avoid pressure. The four-time MVP no longer conjures plays out of thin air as he once did, and he absorbs sacks he might have once escaped. Still, his intelligence, arm strength, and knack for dissecting defenses remain intact.
Expecting Rodgers to carry an offense single-handedly at this stage is unrealistic. But in the right system—surrounded by capable receivers and a solid defense—he can still be effective.
There were moments Sunday when his limitations surfaced. He was sacked on his first snap and nearly cost the game with a wild fourth-quarter throw. Yet beyond the numbers, he demonstrated an ability to adapt, embracing his current strengths rather than clinging to past glories. The Steelers have tailored their approach accordingly.
“I appreciate the opportunity they’ve given me,” Rodgers told reporters postgame. “There’s been a lot of unnecessary noise about how I’d fit here, or how the offense would work.”
Questions lingered about whether he’d conform to the Steelers’ system or impose his own style. Those were answered early. He operated with a quicker tempo than in New York, executing designed rollouts and making timely throws when needed.
The Steelers’ defense struggled, failing to pressure Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who totaled 266 yards and three touchdowns. A costly penalty by Jets linebacker Quincy Williams extended a stalled Steelers drive, leading to Rodgers’ third score.
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