The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2025 offseason with more questions than answers. After five straight losses to end the season, including a 28-14 Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Without a doubt, the biggest question was regarding the quarterback position, leaving fans wondering who was going to lead the Steelers offense in 2025. The team's two quarterbacks from 2024, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, were both entering free agency, and Pittsburgh had to make a decision, and that came full circle in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a preseason game in 2024.
Fields left Pittsburgh, and chose to sign with the New York Jets and new Head Coach Aaron Glenn. With Wilson not too long after signing with the New York Giants, the Steelers were back to square one on brining in a new signal-caller. Pittsburgh still had options to choose from, but Steelers fans everywhere felt as if the Steelers let their best quarterback option out the door in Fields.
The Steelers eventually struck a deal with Aaron Rodgers in June, and the NFL schedule makers made sure to make Week 1 full of storylines by matching up the Steelers and the Jets. For both quarterbacks, it was a chance to prove their former teams wrong. Although Rodgers got the last laugh and the Steelers got the won, Fields and Jets left an impression after their Week 1 performance.
New York Jets
Jets' Justin Fields runs for his second touchdown while playing the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2025 season.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently wrote about how some personnel inside the Steelers organization felt not only about Fields' play in 2024, but his departure in 2025.
"Coach Mike Tomlin made the switch from Fields to Wilson six games in [in 2024], despite some internal pushback and with the Steelers 4-2," Russini wrote. "Fields had plenty of supporters in the locker room and even on the staff."
Steelers fans were torn when Fields left, some saying that he wasn't worth his asking price, and others thinking that he gave the Steelers the best chance to compete in 2025. Head Coach Mike Tomlin even noted during the offseason that is wasn't their decision to let Fields go, but more of his decision to leave. After Fields' Week 1 performance, Russini says some inside the Steelers organization felt like they might've missed out on their future quarterback.
"When the Steelers lined up against the Jets last week and saw Fields on the other sideline — playing refreshed, decisive and free — let’s just say there were more than a few people saying 'told ya so' inside the organization," Russini note.
Any Steelers fan would be lying if they said that they didn't think Fields played well against Pittsburgh. Fields completed 16-for-22 with 218 yards and a touchdown pass to go along with 48 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in one of his better games as a pro. Fields made some good throws, and used his mobility to hurt the Steelers on multiple occasions. Fields showed glimpses of excellence last year in the black and gold, but never quite to the extent that he displayed in Week 1.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers looks to pass during a win over the New York Jets during the 2025 season.
Steelers Are Still Happy With Rodgers As Their Quarterback
If the Jets would've pulled off the win, Fields' performance would've been the top headline. Instead, Rodgers throwing for four touchdowns and leading the Steelers to a come-from-behind win has brought optimism and excitement to the Steel City.
Despite letting Fields go in the offseason, the Steelers have themselves a quarterback, and that is one thing that everyone in the Steelers organization can agree on. The locker room believes in him, the coaching staff trusts him, and fans are already buzzing about what this team can accomplish if Rodgers stays healthy and locked in throughout the season.
The win didn’t just give Pittsburgh a 1-0 start, it gave them hope that this year could be different. It sent a message that even at his age, Rodgers still has plenty of magic left in his arm, and with the talent around him, the possibilities feel endless.
"One thing they all agree on now? They’re more than happy with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers," Russini wrote.
At 41-years old, this season very well could be final in Rodgers's legendary career, and Steelers fans are hoping he can lead them to a magical run before he hangs it up for good.
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