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Rodgers' revenge: QB downs Jets in Steelers debut
AP • September 8th, 2025 2:29 pm
Aaron Rodgers salutes travelling Pittsburgh fans and sends a message to his former employers | Photo: AP
Aaron Rodgers has turned back the clock with a vintage performance in his Pittsburgh debut that featured big throws, no turnovers and a late victory over his former team.
Rodgers threw four touchdown passes — two in a 50-second span in the second half — and Chris Boswell kicked a go-ahead, career-long 60-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining to lead the Steelers to a 34-32 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.
"It was a good team win," Rodgers said.
"A lot of new guys made some plays. Proud of our guys."
But this one had to be a little more satisfying, especially after he was released by the Jets and new coach Aaron Glenn in the off-season.
"I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets," Rodgers added.
"I gave as much as I could to the team. I didn't have any hard feelings about it not working out. I didn't maybe appreciate the way it went down in the end, but that's in the past.
"And we're 1-and-0."
The 41-year-old was 22 of 30 for 244 yards with TD passes to Calvin Austin III, Jaylen Warren, Jonnu Smith and Ben Skowronek in a successful return to the stadium he called home the past two seasons.
With Justin Fields now leading the Jets attack, it was the first time in NFL history that quarterbacks in Week 1 on both sides faced the teams for which they started the season opener the previous year.
Elsewhere, Daniel Jones ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, and Indianapolis snapped the NFL's longest active opening-day winless drought at 11 with a 33-8 rout of the Miami Dolphins.
The Colts are 1-0 for the first time since 2013 and did it in Jones' first game with the team. He went 22 of 29 for 272 yards, including a career-high 197 yards in the first half, as the hosts scored on all seven possessions.
In Denver, the Broncos spoiled top overall draft pick Cam Ward's debut with a 20-12 victory over Tennessee.
Ward was held to 12-of-28 passing for 112 yards with no touchdowns. He didn't have an interception, but was sacked six times and fumbled the ball away in the final minute.
Cam Ward is sat down during his difficult NFL debut against the Broncos | Photo: AP
Quarterbacks taken at No.1 overall are 4-14-1 in the common draft era starting a season opener.
Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw impressed in his NFL debut for the Titans, recording three kicks for 145 yards and landing all three inside the 20.
And Micah Parsons' arrival in Green Bay has helped the Packers put their recent NFC North struggles behind them.
Jordan Love threw a pair of touchdown passes and Parsons had a sack in his Green Bay debut as they delivered an exceptional defensive performance in a 27-13 victory over the Detroit Lions.
