Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Appears To Take Brutal Shot At Former Jets Close Friend

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 1 contest against the New York Jets was very meaningful for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After the 2024 season, the Jets’ new head coach, Aaron Glenn, made it clear that the organization wanted nothing to do with him. Facing the team that had cut him loose, Rodgers had extra motivation to prove his worth. He rose to the occasion, leading the Steelers to a thrilling 34-32 victory with four touchdown passes, completing 22 of 30 attempts for 244 yards. The matchup provided a perfect stage for Rodgers to showcase his talent and leadership in front of both fans and former teammates.

Rodgers’ performance was marked by precision and composure, demonstrating that the Steelers’ offseason move to bring him in was a statement of intent. Each touchdown pass reflected his ability to read the Jets’ defense and capitalize on opportunities, turning what could have been an emotionally charged game into a masterclass in quarterback play. While the final score was close, Rodgers’ impact was undeniable, and his chemistry with Pittsburgh’s receiving corps stood out as a key factor in the victory.

When Rodgers spoke with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor on Wednesday, he appeared to take an indirect shot at one of his former teammates. Though he did not name anyone specifically, his comments suggested lingering frustrations with one of his former wide receivers. 

"He’s about the right stuff," Rodgers said when speaking with the Pittsburgh media on Wednesday. "He cares about it enough to watch the film and put in the time and take notes and ask questions and come over and sit next to me during the week … that’s unfortunately not the standard around the league."

Rodgers was speaking to Pryor about his new wide receiver DK Metcalf. The two of them have built great chemistry and that showed in Week 1. Rodgers’ remarks highlighted not only his competitive drive, but also the personal motivation that fueled his Week 1 performance. For the Steelers, it was a statement win and a reminder that their new quarterback is ready to lead with both skill and determination.

"Now it was a lot of times in Green Bay because all of those guys saw what it was like with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones, and Davante [Adams] got to watch that and he was the next guy in line," Rodgers said. "There's a way of going about it, but when your lead dog in the room is also a great guy, and prepares the right way, it makes it very easy for the rest of the room to just follow his lead."

As for Rodgers’ comments, the question remains whether they were actually a shot at his former wide receivers or if he was highlighting one specifically. No one truly knows what goes on inside the mind of the ever-polarizing Rodgers. However, he did make it clear that his remarks were not directed at any of his receivers from his time with the Green Bay Packers.

Steelers' Rodgers Seems To Take Jab At Jets' Garrett Wilson

Since Rodgers has only played with the Jets outside of Green Bay, it seems obvious that he was referencing someone from New York’s wide receiver room. Could it have been a shot at Garrett Wilson? That would be surprising, considering that during the 2023 offseason, Rodgers and Wilson appeared to form a close bond. Yet, as the 2024 season unfolded, their relationship seemed to cool off.

It remains unclear whether Rodgers was genuinely taking aim at Wilson, but based on his statement, speculation is fair. If true, it would mark a surprising turn for a duo that was once viewed as a cornerstone partnership for the Jets. For now, Rodgers’ words add another layer of intrigue to his new chapter in Pittsburgh and his complicated history with his former teammates.

Do you think Aaron Rodgers was talking about Garrett Wilson when he made these comments on Wednesday? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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