Aaron Rodgers Silences Critics with Four-Touchdown Masterclass in Shocking Steelers Debut Against Jets

Well, here we are—in the thick of the 2025 NFL season—and the Pittsburgh Steelers just might have pulled a masterstroke by bringing Aaron Rodgers into their fold. Man, watching Rodgers march down the field and find the end zone on his very first drive? It wasn’t just a touchdown; it snapped a streak that had the Steelers dry since 2023. That opening salvo wasn’t a one-off either—Rodgers dazzled with four passing touchdowns, steering the Steelers to a nail-biting 34-32 triumph over the Jets. You can almost sense the sparks flying, the chemistry brewing, and maybe, just maybe, a revival underway for a team craving a new dawn. It’s electrifying stuff, the kind that had me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding a bit faster than usual. Yeah, there’s a long season ahead, but this debut? It’s the kind of start that whispers potential and roars promise. Care to dive deeper into this thrilling opener and see what led to these fireworks? LEARN MORE

There’s a lot of time left in the 2025 NFL season, but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to sign Aaron Rodgers might just pay off. Rodgers led the Steelers to a touchdown on his first drive with the team, ending a drought that dated to 2023.

That momentum carried through to the rest of the contest, as Rodgers threw four touchdowns in a fantastic 34-32 debut in a win over the New York Jets.

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Things started on the team’s first drive. After getting the ball with 9:15 in the first quarter, Rodgers took the Steelers on a 10-play drive. With 3:44 left, Rodgers found wideout Ben Skowronek in the end zone for the team’s first touchdown of the year.

The score marked the first time since 2023 the Steelers scored a touchdown on their opening drive. That’s right, the Steelers failed to score a touchdown on every single one of their first drives last season. The team came away with a few field goals on first drives last year, but never managed to step foot in the end zone.

The drought carried back to Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season. That was the last time the Steelers managed a first-drive touchdown in a game. That drive lasted just two plays, as Mason Rudolph hit George Pickens with an 86-yard touchdown pass.

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If you needed more evidence that the Rodgers-Steelers partnership might work, the touchdown also marked the first time the Steelers have scored on a season-opening drive since 2008. Pittsburgh went on to win the Super Bowl that season.

But Rodgers’ strong start didn’t end there. The 41-year-old led the team to a field goal the next time out. After the Steelers’ third drive ended with a punt, Rodgers managed a nine-play scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith with just :32 seconds left before halftime.

Rodgers’ counterpart, Justin Fields, was equally impressive in the first half. Despite Rodgers’ second quarter heroics, Fields led the Jets to a narrow 19-17 lead at halftime.

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Things began slowly in the third quarter. After three straight drives that resulted in punts, Fields ran in a short touchdown to make it 26-17. Rodgers refused to go quietly, answering with a nine-play scoring drive that ended with another passing touchdown, this time to Jaylen Warren.

The Jets quickly gave Rodgers an opportunity for another score. Jets returner Xavier Gipson fumbled the kickoff, giving the Steelers the ball at the 22-yard line. Two plays later, Rodgers found Calvin Austin III for another touchdown pass. This one gave the Steelers the 31-26 lead.

But Fields and the Jets refused to go away quietly. Fields led yet another excellent drive. With the ball on the one-yard line, the Jets decided to go for it on fourth down. Fields faked a handoff and kept the ball, easily walking it in to once again put the Jets back on top.

After two failed drives, Rodgers got the ball back with 3:13 left and his team trailing by a point. He had one more heroic drive in him, taking the Steelers down to the 42-yard line with just 1:01 remaining. Chris Boswell drilled a 60-yard field goal to give the Steelers the 34-32 lead.

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After an excellent return by Arian Smith, Fields and the Jets offense failed to convert on fourth down, giving Rodgers the win.

This story will be updated.