Aaron Rodgers could be playing in the final season of his storied career. The 41-year-old veteran quarterback signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season. He debuted in Week 1 for Pittsburgh, against a familiar foe as the Steelers were on the road facing the Jets.
Rodgers spent two seasons with New York, the first infamously ending on the first drive with a season-ending Achilles injury. He was able to return for the 2024 season, but his performance wasn't good enough to keep him in town. The Jets went with a front office overhaul, firing their GM and head coach, and decided to cut Rodgers and move in a different direction in this new era.
The veteran quarterback mulled over his decisions, including the chance that he would hang up his cleats. Rodgers decided to instead sign up for one more run with the Steelers in 2025. While he looked like a statue in Week 1, he doesn't appear to be a threat to scramble; he was accurate and had a great game with four passing touchdowns. The Steelers ended up winning 34-32.
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Here is how we would grade Rodgers' debut with the Steelers vs. the Jets in Week 1
Aaron Rodgers stats today
Here is how Rodgers fared in his Steelers debut against the Jets.
- Completions: 22
- Pass attempts: 30
- Passing yards: 244
- TDs: 4
- INTs: 0
- Passer rating: 136.7
It ended up being a historic day for Rodgers. Per CBS, Rodgers is the first player in the last 60 years to have at least 240 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in their team debut.
The comprehensive list of QBs with 240 Pass Yards, 4 Pass TD and 0 INT in their team debut over last 60 NFL seasons
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025
- Aaron Rodgers (Week 1 vs Jets)
End of list pic.twitter.com/o2cI0OQKMA
MORE: How Steelers defeated Jets in Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh debut
Aaron Rodgers debut grade vs. Jets in Week 1
- Grade: A
If you thought that Rodgers had an A+ in Week 1, you could certainly make the case. A win, 244 passing yards and four touchdowns likely have Steelers fans asking what else they could have hoped for from their quarterback.
WIDE OPEN @CalvinAustinIII 🙌
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/6CU8YNCJZ5
The reasons that Rodgers doesn't get the bump up to an A+ are that there are some concerns with how he looked. The 41-year-old isn't as elusive as he once was. When defenses would give him space, Rodgers was known for being able to escape the pocket and scramble for a few yards when needed. This was our first game action for Rodgers since he didn't play in the preseason. The quarterback danced in the backfield a few times but didn't actually make up any ground. He looked very uncomfortable when he had to move, which isn't surprising at his age.
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While it didn't end up playing a role in the Week 1 result, the other 13 opponents on the Steelers' schedule the rest of the season got some key intel that they need to try and force Rodgers to move.
BEN SKOW TUDDY‼️
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/7EW0cGApVS
Earning an A+ feels like Rodgers would have had to have been perfect, not necessarily on the stat sheet, but in his gameplay. He struggled moving in the pocket, and then he had a few passes that were lucky not to be intercepted. In one of them, he tried to throw it while he was being hit and going to the ground. It barely escaped the fingertips of a defender. Also, when Rodgers was missing, he was missing high. He sailed some passes that luckily fell short of a defender.
Again, this is very nitpicky, but overall, Rodgers looked the part and added another fourth-quarter, game-winning drive to his Hall of Fame resume. Expectations should increase for the Steelers this season, provided the offensive line can keep him upright.