The NFL is finally back for the 2025 regular season, and the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed the fans back with the best game of the day. This epic clash saw seven lead changes before it was over, the last one being a 60-yard field goal from Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell with 63 seconds left to win the game.
Jets fans will of course be bitter about losing such a close match, but there was more than enough to be pleased about the team's outlook for this season. With that said, let's hand out some game balls.
Breece Hall
It's been a rough offseason and preseason for Breece Hall. With a new regime came rumors that Hall was firmly on the trade block. Later, second-year running back Braelon Allen was tabbed an early breakout candidate, which would likely spell the end of Hall's time as the starting running back.
Hall put all those rumors to bed with an emphatic statement in the season opener against Pittsburgh. He finished with 107 yards on 19 rush attempts, good for 5.6 yards per carry. For one game at least, he has made good on his intent to prove the Jets were right to not trade him.
Justin Fields
Welcome to New York, Mr. Fields! In his New York Jets debut, Fields dazzled by complete 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also added 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Most importantly, he finished with zero turnovers.
If Fields can keep playing like this throughout the season, the Jets' decades-long quest for a franchise quarterback will finally be over.
first TD of the season goes to...G5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 7, 2025
📺: #PITvsNYJ on CBS, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/GZqLU0sY4g
Garrett Wilson
It did not take long for Wilson and Fields to re-establish the chemistry from their days at Ohio State together. Early in the first quarter, Fields connected with Wilson for a huge touchdown to take an early lead, getting the Jets faithful at MetLife stadium on their feet.
Whenever Fields needed a target, Wilson made himself available and delivered. He finished the day with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully this was just a taste of passing brilliance yet to come.