The Pittsburgh Steelers always knew that the New York Jets would be a tough matchup on the road in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. Pittsburgh had a very busy offseason, as the Steelers signed veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal. Rodgers was officially set to face off against his former team once he put pen to paper in the Steel City back in June.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Rodgers is entering the 21st season of his career. The 41-year-old quarterback could prove to be a serviceable starter early on, as Rodgers is still just four years removed from his last MVP award in 2021. Speculation continued to surround the veteran quarterback throughout the entire offseason, as Rodgers was rumored to have left all options on the table prior to signing in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers could have been a promising fit for multiple teams in the offseason despite signing with the Steelers, as NFL analyst Jay Glazer recently gave his thoughts as to where else Rodgers could have landed.
"The interesting thing here is Mike Tomlin pretty much has Matthew Stafford to thank that Aaron Rodgers is there, let me explain." Glazer stated.
Glazer continued to go more in-depth on Stafford's situation with the Los Angeles Rams, as he claimed the Rams would have been interested in signing Rodgers if they weren't able to reach an agreement with Stafford.
"Early on in the offseason, it didn't look like Matthew Stafford and the Rams were going to be able to work a deal out. At that time they started talking to teams, probably the Giants. If Stafford left, the plan for Sean McVay was to sign Aaron Rodgers to be the starting quarterback of the Rams. So he's got Matthew Stafford to thank that he is doing a team-friendly deal."
Both Stafford and Rodgers are two of the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL. Rodgers may have proven to be an excellent fit in Los Angeles, but the Rams ultimately were able to reach a deal with Stafford, and the Steelers were able to sign Rodgers. Both veteran quarterbacks will have major expectations as Stafford and Rodgers will be throwing to some of the top wide receivers in all of football throughout 2025.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Rams' Matthew Stafford gets ready to be introduced to the home crowd.
Rodgers could very well retire at the end of the season. Stafford and Rodgers have remained as top quarterbacks in the NFL for a number of years and will look to continue performing at a high level in 2025. The Steelers' Week 1 contest against the Jets has always been a high-stakes matchup, where Rodgers and the rest of Pittsburgh's offense will look to get off to a hot start.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers And DK Metcalf's Chemistry Could Play A Key Role In A Week 1 Victory
Rodgers will have an elite wide receiver at his disposal in DK Metcalf. Metcalf was acquired in a trade earlier in the offseason with the Seattle Seahawks and signed a five-year, $150 million deal right after being traded. The veteran has remained as a top wide receiver in all of football throughout the past few seasons and could quickly become a top beneficiary of catching passes from Rodgers.
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Steelers' wide receiver DK Metcalf catches the football during a joint practice against Tampa Bay.
Rodgers and Metcalf have been developing chemistry all throughout training camp and could emerge as a top deep ball threat in all of football. Metcalf's size and strength makes him a very unpleasant matchup for opposing defenses, as his elite speed and play making ability could quickly turn him into Rodgers' favorite weapon. Both veterans will look to put their chemistry on full display throughout Week 1's matchup against the Jets.
Rodgers to the Rams was a legitimate possibility earlier in the offseason. The veteran quarterback is a four-time MVP that likely would have been a good fit in Los Angeles, but the future Hall Of Famer ultimately signed a one year deal with the Steelers and will be in Pittsburgh for what could be his final NFL season. Rodgers and the rest of the Steelers offense will look to open the season on a high note Week 1 at MetLife Stadium.
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