Pittsburgh Steelers season openers are not generally historic in any form; however, that will change when Mike Tomlin's team faces the New York Jets on the road this afternoon. While all eyes are on the Aaron Rodgers revenge game, there are a few additional historic implications that you might not be aware of.
The goal, of course, is for the Steelers to leave MetLife Stadium this evening with their first victory of the 2025 season under their belt. But before your eyes are glued to the game, here are subtle ways the Steelers will make history today.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener against the New York Jets will be a game of firsts
First Sunday meeting in September on the road
The 1984 game occurred on a Thursday night, not on Sunday, meaning this will be the first time the Steelers play the Jets in New York on a Sunday afternoon on the road. The Steelers did win 23-17. The Jets had moved from Shea Stadium to Giants Stadium, and since the Steelers were the Jets' final opponent at Shea Stadium, they opened the Jets' season at home in their new stadium. Thus, the NFL made it a nationally televised game, playing it on Thursday night.
Quarterback first
The game with the Jets also marks another first in Steelers history. It will be the first Steelers game in which their starting quarterback will have played for the opposing team they face, while the opponent's quarterback played for the Steelers.
Now, subtly, the 1984 game versus the Jets has its own quarterback twist of sorts. When the Steelers played the Jets in 1984, their starting quarterback was David Woodley. While Woodley did not play for the Jets in 1983, he did play for the Dolphins; hence, they played an AFC team with a quarterback who played in the AFC East the previous season.
Potential Aaron Rodgers firsts
If the Steelers prevail against the Jets this Sunday, perhaps Aaron Rodgers could make his own history with the Steelers. If Rodgers can complete more than 14 passes and throw for more than 187 yards and toss more than two touchdowns, he will be the first player to do that on the road against the Jets since 1984 and the first to do it on a Sunday in September. Plus, he could overtake David Woodley as the leader in all those categories, playing on the road against the Jets in September.
Given the unique circumstances of this game, Steelers fans will witness an unusual contest that will undoubtedly be historic for several reasons.