Aaron Rodgers’ return to the field in 2025 started out with a bang. The Pittsburgh Steelers came into New York to beat the Jets 34-32 in an extremely entertaining week 1 matchup. Rodgers put on an absolute clinic throwing for four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
After the game, the four time MVP had something to say.
“Thought I Couldn’t Play” Aaron Rodgers Throws New York Under The Bus After Huge Steelers Win
Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
According to Sean Deveney of Athon Sports:
Seven months ago, shortly after new coach Aaron Glenn got the job with the Jets, he held what would later be portrayed as a decidedly combative meeting with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, now a Pittsburgh Steeler.
Glenn made clear at the time that he was not comfortable with Rodgers staying on as the team’s quarterback, not just for reasons of performance (the Jets were 5-12) or age (Rodgers is 42), but for fear that the enigmatic QB could undermine him. Shortly thereafter, the Jets let it be known they were moving on from Rodgers, a move that became official when the new league year began in March.
Rodgers of course, later signed with the Steelers and was set up with a first-week road game in New York on Sunday. And he was impressive in his Pittsbrugh debut, going 22-for-30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns, without an interception. The Steelers handed Glenn a loss in his Jets debut, 34-32.
Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) shows the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) shows the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Rodgers did not address Glenn specifically, but he pretty clearly had him in mind when pointing out that there were members of the Jets organization who felt he was washed up.
“I love beating everybody. It doesn’t matter who it is,” Rodgers said in his press conference. “I only played 18 games here. … There were probably people in that organization that didn’t think I can play anymore. So it is nice to remind those people that I still can.”
Aug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on from the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on from the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Of course, it was a sloppy, two-point win and Rodgers pointed out that, while it’s good to be 1-0, the Steelers are far from a polished product.
“There’s so much correctable tape on there,’ he said. “It’s like a coach’s dream journal right there, to win but to still have some correctable moments. I am sure all the coaches are going to be watching film on the way back and not celebrating, remembering that it is so hard to win in this league.”
“I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets.”
—Aaron Rodgers after his 34-32 win over the Jets pic.twitter.com/WyAqADIYsp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 7, 2025
Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
While the digs at Glenn were unmistakable, Rodgers did his best to keep the temperature on anti-Jets chatter cooled. He recalled the time he stormed onto the field at MetLife Stadium carrying the American flag on 9/11 after he was traded to the Jets two years ago.
This, he said, was very mild in comparison.
“The excitement we had back on 9/11/23 running on the field, I mean, the energy we had on the field, it definitely felt different than today,” Rodgers said. “I think anyone who was on the field today could feel that there was a major difference. To have the season taken away like that, and to battle back and have a rough season last year.
“Like I said, I gave as much as I could to the team. It didn’t work out. I didn’t have any hard feelings about it not working out. Now, I didn’t maybe appreciate the way that it went down in the end, but that’s in the past. We’re 1-0.”
Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
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