After waiting through the preseason, there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers and new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Fans have only gotten glimpses of Rodgers through training camp, and little else to root their expectations in.
Once the Steelers and New York Jets kick off on Sunday afternoon, fans will get their first taste of the Rodgers experience. But until then, fans are left to worry and wonder about what that experience will look and feel like.
After all, the Jets got just a taste before the entire season was washed away in 2023. Steelers fans expect to see more, but the expectations fans have for Rodgers range from one uneventful and catastrophic drive to leading the team back to the promised land.
In many ways, everything about the fanbase's perspective on Rodgers hinges on his performance in Week 1.
Bold Aaron Rodgers forecast is exactly what Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to hear
Ryan Heckman over at NFL Spin Zone gave his bold prediction that Rodgers would throw for over 300 yards against the Jets and lead the Steelers to victory. That’s what every Steelers fan is hoping for, even the most pessimistic fans who don’t expect this experiment to play out well whatsoever.
But is that even feasible for Rodgers in Week 1?
Concerns in Pittsburgh rest almost solely on the offense. Pittsburgh’s offensive line lacks experience, and the wide receiver depth is alarming. Does Rodgers have enough firepower around him to fulfill such a prediction?
Keep in mind, Rodgers has thrown for 300+ yards exactly once since leaving Green Bay: he threw for 339 yards against the Dolphins in a Week 14 overtime loss last season. To be fair, that was the start of a stretch of games where Rodgers showed he still has some gas in the tank. A few weeks later, he closed the season by throwing for 274 yards and four scores in a revenge win over Miami.
For what it’s worth, the Jets also only allowed a single 300+ passer last season, which happened to be Tua Tagovailoa in the loss to Miami. Pass defense has long been the ironic downfall of Aaron Glenn’s defenses in Detroit, but he never had Sauce Gardner in the Motor City. Still, it’s worth pointing out that Glenn’s defense allowed five 300+ passers last season, including 304 from Matthew Stafford in Week 1.
Of course, there’s also the Arthur Smith aspect. His offense only had one 300+ yard performance last season when Russell Wilson threw for 410 against Cincinnati in Week 13.
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While 300 yards would be nice, every Steeler fan just wants to leave Week 1 1-0 with enough confidence in Rodgers and the offense to sustain them for the season. Rodgers doesn’t have to throw for 300 yards to do that. He just needs to avoid turnovers and play efficiently.
Besides, the way this game is set up, it’s more likely for the Jets’ offense to falter against the Steelers. Don’t be overly surprised if Pittsburgh plays ground control offense to force Justin Fields and the Jets into mistakes against the revamped defense. Forcing Fields into passing situations against a stacked secondary is more on brand for Mike Tomlin’s team than letting Rodgers air it out just for a Week 1 statement, anyway.