We’ve made it, football fans. With the Dallas Cowboys and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles facing off tomorrow night, we’ve finally made it to the 2025 NFL season. This season starts off full of hope for the New York Jets after a clean sweep of the front office and coaching staff, with the new head coach-quarterback duo of Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields drawing the most excitement.
The Jets kick off their season on Sunday with a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. This promises to be a tough game against what should be a playoff team in 2025, and we should be able to learn quite a bit about this Jets team by the end of it.
In preparation for that game, here are four bold predictions, including one that won’t be so fun for Jets fans.
1. Justin Fields rushes for over 100 yards
If this sounds too outlandish even for a list of bold predictions, you should know that Fields has already rushed for over 100 yards in a game five (five!) times. He’s built like a linebacker at six-foot-three and 225 pounds but moves like a running back and has the straight-line speed to rip off 40-yard, 50-yard, even 61-yard touchdown runs.
Expect him to lean on that rushing ability in this first game while he’s still acclimating to a new offense. I predict a 100-yard rushing game (or more) from Fields, which would beat the current Jets record set by Zach Wilson in Week 16 of the 2021 season.
2. Gardner does not allow a single catch to D.K. Metcalf
It’s been a rough week for Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. First he was once again snubbed from being a Jets team captain, then the NFL unveiled their full Top 100 players list, which revealed that Gardner did not make the cut this year. That’s a double-whammy that has to sting, but I expect Gardner to take his frustrations out on two-time Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf.
For the Jets’ season opener, I predict that Gardner will put the clamps on Metcalf, even despite the size difference, and not give up a single reception.
3. Jermaine Johnson sacks Aaron Rodgers twice
How about this for a feel-good story for Jets fans? Jermaine Johnson has fought hard to recover from his season-ending ACL injury last year to be ready for the season opener, and you can bet that he’s going to be chomping at the bit after missing so much time. The Steelers’ mediocre offensive line will not be ready for a motivated Jermaine Johnson, and the aging Aaron Rodgers no longer has the legs to get away from pressure. I predict we see a two-sack game in the veteran’s return to action in front of the home crowd.
Jermaine Johnson was asked about seeing Aaron Rodgers on the other side on Sunday:
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 2, 2025
"I don't care who's back there. I got a job to do for this team. Whoever the quarterback is, I get paid to put him down." pic.twitter.com/XwR5jfsOsB
4. Fields throws two interceptions, including a game-ending pick in the final moments
As aforementioned, not every bold prediction is a fun one. While Fields will dazzle with an electric rushing game, expect his worst habits as a passer to rear their ugly heads and cost New York the game. In this case, it's the turnovers in crunch time.
Bears fans saw many games end with an interception or a fumble from Fields during two-minute drills and it’s something that Jets fans should probably get used to, starting with the season opener. There'll be plenty of good takeaways from this game, but the ending will sting.