The Pittsburgh Steelers began the 2025 season with a win on the road over the New York Jets in Week 1. The offense for the Steelers was electric as the unit found the end zone four times and was able to win in a shootout. The new additions on offense all made impacts, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers silenced any doubters by throwing four touchdowns. DK Metcalf led the team in receiving, Jonnu Smith found the end zone, and Kenneth Gainwell produced on offense and forced a fumble on special teams. The new faces made immediate impacts, which is something that will hopefully continue.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in East Rutherford, NJ.
There was some doubt surrounding Rodgers in Pittsburgh, but the four-time league MVP played really well in his debut for the Steelers as he was able to take down his former team. The quarterback added 244 yards through the air, while not turning the ball over, and he looked extremely poised under pressure.
Metcalf was asked about Rodgers during a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports, and the wide receiver had nothing but good things to say about his quarterback as the 2025 season continues on.
"I think coming here was like a breath of fresh air for him because he is flying around the field," Metcalf said. "He's running around, joking in the huddle. I think my boy just loves football again. I think that's the positive about a change of scenery, it can get you loving the game to where you was back in pee-wee or middle school or high school."
Rodgers is coming off of a rough two seasons with New York. He suffered a serious season-ending injury at the start of the 2023 campaign, and he was clearly not himself when he returned in 2024. It took him some time to knock the rust off last season, but he did have a strong second half of the year. The Jets only managed to win five games with Rodgers at the helm, and things already seem to be different now that he is in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks at his play sheet during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Jets are not a stable organization, and the 2024 season saw a lot of turnover for the franchise. Former Head Coach Robert Saleh was fired after the start of the 2024 season, as was former General Manager Joe Douglas. The organization seemed to be in complete disarray, and there was a lot of focus on things that had nothing to do with football. Now, things are drastically different for Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Things are stable, and he does not have to worry about any of those extracurricular activities going on off of the field.
There was some question about whether or not Rodgers would retire during the 2025 offseason. He was released from the Jets, and he weighed his options in free agency for quite some time. He eventually signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal, in what many expect to be the final season of his career.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during his first training camp with Pittsburgh in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Could Even Return In 2026
Rodgers has not officially announced that he will be retiring after the 2025 season, but he hasn't committed to playing in 2026 either. It certainly is a possibility, and Metcalf has been trying to convince him to return for another year in 2026. If everything that Metcalf said during his interview is true, Rodgers could definitely have the desire to come back and play for the Steelers for another season. The organization doesn't have a clear future at quarterback, and Rodgers could return to continue to mentor Will Howard and another young quarterback if one is selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. It will be an interesting storyline to follow throughout the rest of the year.
What do you think about Metcalf's comments about Rodgers being reinvigorated? Let us know in the comments below!
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