Aaron Rodgers exorcises demons vs. Jets, leading Steelers over former team with four touchdown passes

Rodgers and Justin Fields traded places in the offseason before engaging in a Week 1 shootout

In a high-scoring game, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers recorded a 34-32 win over the Jets in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season. Rodgers led the Steelers to victory by throwing four touchdown passes against his former team. 

Pittsburgh took the lead for good on Chris Boswell's career-long 60-yard field goal with just over a minute left. The Steelers iced the win after newcomer Jalen Ramsey broke up Justin Fields' fourth-down pass with 25 seconds left. 

The Steelers trailed most of the way before scoring two touchdowns in less than a minute early in the fourth quarter. Sandwiched between a pair of Rodgers' touchdown passes was a forced fumble by Pittsburgh's special teams. The Jets briefly re-gained the lead before an 11-yard completion from Rodgers to DK Metcalf helped set up Boswell's game-winning field goal. 

Rodgers finished the game with 244 yards on 22 of 30 passing. In a losing effort, the Jets received a gamely effort from Fields, who threw for 218 yards and a touchdown against his former team. He also ran for two touchdowns on the ground. 

The game started with five consecutive scoring drives that included three by the Jets, who took a 19-17 halftime lead. Rodgers' first drive as a Steeler ended with a touchdown pass to Ben Skowronek. Fields countered with his first touchdown pass as a Jet, a 33-yard strike to former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson. 

Here's a closer look at how Pittsburgh prevailed in the Big Apple. 

Why the Steelers won 

The key to Pittsburgh's win was the play of their four-time league MVP, former Super Bowl MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback. Despite not joining the Steelers until minicamp, Rodgers put up impressive numbers while getting to within one touchdown of tying Brett Favre on career touchdown pass list. 

Rodgers was especially good on third-and-long situations. On Pittsburgh's first drive, for example, Rodgers converted on a pair of third-and-long situations that set up his first touchdown pass as a member of the Steelers. He was also especially good in the end zone, as the Steelers were a perfect 3 of 3 inside the Jets' 20-yard-line. 

Pittsburgh's special teams was also key to the win. Boswell made both of his field goal and each of his four point-after attempts. The unit also set up Rodgers' go-ahead touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter when Kenneth Gainwell forced a fumble that was recovered by Skowronek. 

Why the Jets lost 

New York lost despite an excellent offensive game by its offense and a very solid performance by its defensive front, led by Will McDonald IV and Quinnen Williams. Poor pass defense, however, the fumble on special teams by Xavier Gibson two missed two-point conversion attempts ended up being the difference in what was a very evenly matched game. 

New Jets coach Aaron Glenn decided to go for two points after the Steelers committed a penalty on New York's first point after attempts, which was initially missed by Nick Folk. The Jets came up empty when Braelon Allen was stuffed short of the goal line. 

New York's second two-point miss occurred following Fields' second touchdown run that gave the Jets a 32-31 lead with 7:01 left. Fields' pass to Wilson was incomplete, which gave the Steelers a chance to take the lead with a field goal, which they ultimately did. 

The Jets lost despite out-rushing Pittsburgh 182-53. Most of that work was courtesy of Breece Hall, who ran for 107 yards on 19 carries. 

Turning point 

Pittsburgh trailed 26-17 entering the fourth quarter. They led, however, less than a minute into the fourth quarter after scoring two touchdowns in 50 seconds. The first touchdown was a short completion from Rodgers to Jaylen Warren. Rodgers then capitalized on New York's turnover on special teams when he fired an 18-yard strike to Calvin Austin III. 

Play of the game 

Ironically, a game that was dominated by offense ended with a great defensive play. That play was turned in by Ramsey, whose jarring hit on Wilson led to a turnover on downs for the Jets and a win for the Steelers. 

Quotables 

"Our kicker is a serial killer. He's got a low pulse rate, and he's ready to deliver." -- Mike Tomlin on Boswell 

"There's a lot of garbage being talked about myself or Arthur [Smith] or whatever out there. How we're going to co-exist. We've got a great relationship. He called a really good game. I gotta play a little better in spots. Happy to be 1-0." -- Rodgers during his postgame interview with Evan Washburn 

What's next 

The Steelers will host Seattle in their home opener next Sunday. The Jets will host division rival and the five-time defending AFC East champion Bills. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 4:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Pittsburgh gets the win after Jalen Ramsey breaks up Justin Fields' fourth down pass with 25 seconds left. Rodgers wins his first game as a Steeler while withstanding a tough performance by the Jets' defensive front. 

In all, Rodgers threw for 244 yards on 22 of 30 passing. In defeat, Fields played well, throwing for 218 yards on 16 of 22 passing. He scored three total touchdowns against his former team. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 4:04 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Chris Boswell drills a 60-yard FG, a career-long, to give the Steelers a 34-32 lead with 1:03 left. The Jets still have one timeout left. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:58 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Steelers are in FG after Metcalf caught a pass that was deflected several times before he cradled it in for an 11-yard gain. The Jets chose to use their second timeout ahead of the two-minute warning. They now have one timeout left. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:54 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Steelers' defense did their job, forcing a quick punt and giving their offense the ball back with 3:13 left. Pittsburgh only need a FG to take the lead. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Quinnen Williams' sack on third down leads to a Steelers punt with 5:21 left. Rodgers has now been sacked four times, but it feels like a lot more than than. 

Pittsburgh is in the game despite a horrid effort from its defense and a one-dimensional running game. The Steelers will need a punt here if they're going to have a chance to pull off a walk-off win. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

We've got a shootout going in the Big Apple. Fields just gave the Jets the lead on a QB sneak on fourth and goal that capped off a 12-play, 67-yard drive. But New York missed their two-point attempt, so their lead remains at 32-31 with 7:01 left. 

The Steelers' defensive injuries are piling up. CB Joey Porter Jr. wasn't on the field on that drive, and Cam Heyward appeared to get injured on Fields' TD run. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:26 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers finds a wide open Calvin Austin III for his fourth touchdown of the game and second in 50 seconds. Steelers lead it 31-26 with 14:07 left. Steelers turn the Gibson fumble into seven points. 

Rodgers now one TD away from tying Favre on the all-time list. He's making a killing today on the-play-action, rollout right. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers' third TD pass of the day -- this one to Jaylen Warren -- cuts the Steelers' deficit to 26-24 with 14:57 to play. Rodgers has thrived off the play-action, which is a staple of Arthur Smith offenses. 

Rodgers is now two touchdowns away from tying former teammate Brett Favre on the all-time list. 

Steelers get the ball back after Ben Skowronek scoops up Xavier Gipson's fumble on the ensuing kickoff. The fumble was forced by Kenneth Gainwell. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:19 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

New York scored the only points of the third quarter on Justin Fields' short TD run. But the Steelers will start the fourth quarter with the ball inside the Jets' 10-yard line after Rodgers hits DK Metcalf for 18 yards and Warren for 17 yards. 

Both QBs have been great so far. Rodgers is 15 of 21 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Fields is 12 of 15 for 173 yards with touchdowns in the air and on the ground. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

An impressive completion from Fields to Garrett Wilson sets up his first TD run as a member of the Jets. That was a very clean eight-play, 68-yard drive that took 5:11 off the clock. 

Jets now up 26-17 with less than four minutes to play in the third. Feels like this is a must-score drive coming up for Pittsburgh. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 3:05 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

A 16-yard run by Breece Hall has gotten the Jets back into Steelers territory. Hall was aided by a great block by Olu Fashanu. 

Jets now have 145 yards on 26 carries against the NFL's highest-paid defense. Pittsburgh hasn't move T.J. Watt around, which was the expectation given Watt's lack of production during the final five games of the 2024 season. Pittsburgh's defense also hasn't been helped by the loss of DeShon Elliott, who was injured in the first half. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Another punt by Will McDonald IV leads to Pittsburgh's second punt of the half. Once again, the Steelers have to punt after facing a third-and-long, a result of a non-existent running game. 

This has been a rough game so far for Broderick Jones, who is making the move from RT to LT. McDonald breezed by him for his second sack. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Like the Steelers, the Jets' offense also starts the first half with a three-and-out. It could have been much worse, though, had Keeanu Benton been able to hang onto a deflected pass that had it caught it would have given the Steelers the ball deep into Jets territory. 

More chippy play on the Jets' punt, as Connor Heyward gets flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness. That's two bad penalties for Pittsburgh this half. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:45 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Steelers start the half with a nine-yard run by Jaylen Warren, but Steelers have to punt after going nowhere on next two plays. A killer was a delay of game that turned a third-and-1 to a third-and-6. Jermaine Johnson's pressure of Rodgers on third down led to a hurried incomplete pass. 

Jets' defensive line has been a difference-maker today. Along with Johnson, Quinnen Williams made a big play on the drive with a tackle for no gain on second down. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:34 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Score: Jets 19, Steelers 17
Total yards: Jets, 240-173
First downs: Jets, 23-9
Rushing yards: Jets, 106-22
Third down: Steelers 3-5, Jets 4-7
Red zone: Steelers 1-1, Jets 1-2 

Rodgers: 11-14, 159 yards two touchdowns, two sacks
Fields: 9-11, 134 yards, one touchdown, no sacks, 30 yards on six carries
Hall: 49 yards on nine carries, 38 yards on two catches
Metcalf: 2 catches, 54 yards
Gainwell: 13 yards on 6 carries
Warren: 9 yards on 4 carries
Wilson: 68 yards on 5 catches 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:25 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Jets took exception to Fields getting hit outside of the pocket. The refs said that the Jets instigated the fight, which led to a 15-yard penalty. 

Cam Heyward was especially fired up. Took his helmet off and was right in the middle of the scrum. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:21 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Steelers cut their deficit to two points after Rodgers flicks a short pass to Jonnu Smith that Smith took the house from three yards out. The score was set up by Rodgers' nifty 21-yard completion to Calvin Austin III, who caught two passes for 51 yards on the drive. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:11 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers' 30-yard completion to Calvin Austin has gotten the Steelers into scoring range. Rodgers is already up to 132 yards on 8 of 11 passing. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:06 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Jets extend their lead to 19-10 after Nick Folk makes his second field goal of the half. The Jets have to settle for three after Fields slipped on a QB option on third down. 

Tensions are flaring on the Steelers' defense. Despite having one of the NFL's highest-paid defenses, the Steelers have been outplayed so far by the Jets' offense, especially on the ground. The Jets already have 91 yards on 20 carries. You wonder what impact first-round pick Derrick Harmon would have made today. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Steelers' starting strong safety is heading into the medical tent after possibly suffering a lower body injury. Meanwhile, the Jets are again in Steelers territory after Fields hits Tyler Johnson for 24 yards. 

Jets lead, 16-10, with about five minutes left in the first half. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:55 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The Steelers have to punt after Rogers takes a sack by Will McDonald IV. Rodgers appeared to have two guys open on the short cross -- including DK Metcalf -- but he obviously didn't feel good about it and instead took the sack. That one's on him, not the Steelers' O-line. 

That being said, the Steelers' have not been able to run the ball today, which is a big issue. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

That's now five straight scores to open this game. The Jets' second TD was courtesy of second-year running back Braelon Allen, whose score was set up by a 33-yard catch-and-carry by Breece Hall. Hall already has 78 yards on eight total touches. 

The Jets are having their way with the Steelers in terms of running the ball. New York's up to 80 yards and 15 carries. They're also getting steady play from Fields, who is currently 6 of 7 for 91 yards and has yet to be sacked. His only incompletion was a batted pass from Watt on that last possession. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:41 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Four drives, four scores to stat this game. The Steelers' second drive ends with Chris Boswell drilling a 56-yard field goal. Once again, though, Pittsburgh once again found itself in a third-and-long situation. While they couldn't convert this time, Smith's five-yard gain on a short Rodgers completion set up Boswell's field goal. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:36 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

The quarter ends with Rodgers and Metcalf connecting on a 31-yard gain. Steelers will start the second quarter in Jets territory. 

Rodgers went 5 of 6 for 93 yards and a TD in the opening quarter. The Steelers had just 13 yards on 4 carries in the first half, as opposed to the Jets' 49 yards on 11 carries. 

As expected, Pittsburgh's running game is going to be a work in progress. That's fine as long as the Steelers can avoid too many third-and-long situations. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:31 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

New York quickly re-gained the lead after Justin Fields and Garrett Wilson connected on a 33-yard touchdown. Wilson beat former Eagles Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay for his first TD of the season. Fields had all day to throw on the play. 

The score remained 9-7 after the Jets were unable to convert on their 2-point try that was attempted after the Steelers committed a penalty on New York's point-after attempt. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:23 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

While it didn't start well, the Steelers' first drive of the 2025 season ends with a 22-yard TD pass from Rodgers to Ben Skowronek. Rodgers was 4 of 5 for 62 yards on Pittsburgh's 10-play, 71-yard drive. The Steelers' drive included two third-and-10 conversions. 

Surprisingly, Kenneth Gainwell was Pittsburgh's leading rusher on the drive with 13 yards on three carries. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:17 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Rodgers was sacked by Quinnen Williams on Pittsburgh's first play, but he bounced back by firing an 11-yard completion to Pat Freiermuth on a third-and-10 play. 

Steelers get past midfield after DK Metcalf turns a short pass into a 23-yard gain. Steelers now 2-of-2 on third down, both were on third-and-10. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:11 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

New York has to settle for three after T.J. Watt records consecutive tackles for loss. The Jets ran eight times for 40 yards on their opening drive, but 18 of those yards were on Hall's first carry of the game. Fields completed his only attempt of the drive, an eight-yard completion to former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 1:07 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

New York gets the ball first and starts things off with an 18-yard run by Breece Hall on the left side of the Jets' line of scrimmage. Justin Fields sneaks for another first down as the Jets are already in scoring range. 

The Jets are committed to being a solid running team this year under first year coach Aaron Glenn. Conversely, the Steelers dedicated themselves towards being a better run-stuffing team this offseason after allowing 299 yards on the ground vs. Baltimore in January's wild card loss. 

[Sep 7, 2025 at 12:33 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

This may have been the busiest offseason in Steelers history. Along with Rodgers Pittsburgh's key offseason acquisitions included wideout DK Metcalf, rookie RB Kaleb Johnson, rookie DTs Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, fellow rookie LB Jack Sawyer, and veteran Pro Bowl defensive backs Jalen and Darius Slay.

Metcalf and Rodgers enjoyed a near instant connection this summer. Expect the duo to connect early and often this season, especially with the Steelers' questionable lack of depth at receiver. Rodgers has spoken highly of Roman Wilson, a second-year wideout whose rookie season was wiped out after he suffered an injury during training camp.

The Steelers also have a new starting running back in Jaylen Warren, who shared the workload the last few years with Najee Harris. Warren recently became the first Steelers running back in 19 years to receive a contract extension.Speaking of contracts, the Steelers and Cam Heyward did agree on a contract restructure at the 11th hour, which means that the four-time All-Pro DT will be on the field for today's game against the Jets. That's especially important given Derrick Harmon's injury that will keep him sidelined for today's game.Instead of Harmon, Heyward will play alongside another rookie today in Yahya Black, who turned heads during what was an impressive training camp/preseason.