Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers Impress in Season-Opener Victory

The Pittsburgh Steelers started their 2025-26 season with an enthralling 34-32 win over the New York Jets.

There were a lot of questions surrounding the Steelers prior to the season’s opening. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Pittsburgh quarterback position hasn’t been tied down. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. In that time, they’ve never had a below .500 record, but the on-field product has left fans dissatisfied.

Not all of those questions were answered during Sunday’s win in New Jersey, but the offensive shootout on display should give Pittsburgh fans hope for the upcoming season.

Pittsburgh’s new quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, was facing off against his old team on opening weekend, but he wasn’t the only one confronting old demons; Justin Fields got the start for the Jets after spending last year with the Steelers.

Rodgers was playing with something to prove on Sunday, throwing for 224 yards and four touchdowns on 22 completions. His first drive as a Pittsburgh Steeler resulted in a touchdown.

The Steelers’ defense, on the other hand, left a lot more to be desired. Last year, Pittsburgh had the eighth best defense in the league by points allowed. That’s what made the Jets game so confusing; where Pittsburgh struggled last season (on the offensive side of the ball), they excelled on Sunday. But their defense, which has been reliable for years and didn’t lose any of its key personnel during the offseason, nearly wasted an outstanding Aaron Rodgers’ performance.

The Steelers went into halftime down 19-17 and finished the third quarter down two scores after being kept off the board. However, their offense exploded in the final frame, posting 17 points and holding the Jets to 6.

Rodgers led the Steelers down the field for what would be their game-winning drive, setting up a 60-yard field goal that Chris Boswell nailed to set a new career-high.

New York got the ball back with a minute to play, but when it mattered, Pittsburgh’s defensive cohort stepped up big. Final score: 34-32.

The win should have Steelers fans excited for what lies ahead. The defense will likely improve as the season goes on and they gel, and the new look offense will offer what they’ve lacked in years past.

The Steelers will host the Seattle Seahawks in their home-opener on Sunday the 14th. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.