The regular season is finally here, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets is loaded with storylines. Aaron Rodgers will face his old team after a disastrous tenure, while Justin Fields gets a shot at his former team after spending last season in Pittsburgh.
For the Steelers, this season feels monumental. The roster is full of unknowns, and the direction of the franchise over the next few years could hinge on how things play out. Pittsburgh believes it’s built to win now, but after years of the same disappointing finishes, the offseason brought major shakeups in hopes of flipping the narrative. Week 1 is the first step in proving whether that will pay off.
This matchup against the Jets will be an early test for a Steelers squad with plenty of new faces still learning to gel. On Sunday, we’ll see whether they can start hot—or stumble out of the gate. With that, let’s dive into predicting the outcome of the season opener against the New York Jets.
Early struggles could set the tone for Pittsburgh Steelers battle with Jets
With so many new faces, such as Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Jonnu Smith, the Steelers' chemistry is going to take time to develop. Limited preseason action means this group may need a few weeks to truly hit its stride. Week 1 is often filled with sloppy play and surprising upsets, and Pittsburgh’s offense could be especially shaky early on since Rodgers and Metcalf did not see the field during the preseason.
The Steelers' offensive line has also been a slow starter in recent years, and that trend could continue. Broderick Jones will be making his first start at left tackle, while Troy Fautanu returns after logging just one start last season. The run game might struggle out of the gate as well, especially against a Jets defense that knows Rodgers well and remains one of the stronger units in the league. All signs point to a low-scoring battle decided by time of possession and field position.
Defensively, Pittsburgh should be flying around. Just as the Jets have familiarity with Rodgers, Mike Tomlin and his staff know Justin Fields well from his time in Pittsburgh and will have a plan to contain him. The Jets' offensive line is banged up, especially with Alijah Vera-Tucker possibly out for the season, which sets up the Steelers' defensive front to feast.
In the end, the Steelers' veteran presence, defensive depth, and familiarity with Fields should tilt the game in their favor. The pass rush will be too much for the Jets to handle, and Aaron Glenn’s first game as head coach will be a difficult initiation. Expect a close, low-scoring contest with the Steelers grinding out a 17-13 victory.