The massive query for the Pittsburgh Steelers coming into the 2025 season was whether or not or not quarterback Aaron Rodgers might nonetheless play at a excessive degree and assist them compete for a Tremendous Bowl.
It is just one sport, however early returns had been promising of their 34-32 win Sunday over Rodgers’ former staff, the New York Jets.
Steelers haven’t had quarterback play like this in years
Despite the fact that the Steelers have persistently completed with profitable information and made the playoffs the previous few years, their quarterback play has been among the worst within the NFL and considerably lowered their ceiling.
It was a very totally different story on Sunday as Rodgers not solely put up large numbers but additionally helped bail out a brutal defensive efficiency that nearly price the Steelers the sport. Lately, the Steelers giving up 32 factors in a sport would have been an computerized loss. That was not the case right here.
Not solely did Rodgers put up numbers and factors — he accomplished 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and 4 touchdowns with zero interceptions — he additionally appeared to have a management over the offense that latest Steelers quarterbacks haven’t had.
The Steelers appeared environment friendly and cohesive, they usually did one thing within the passing sport that they’d been avoiding for years: They used the center of the sector and located loads of success with it.
Aaron Rodgers unfold the ball round to all people
Not solely did Rodgers join with new large receiver DK Metcalf for some large performs — Metcalf caught 4 passes for 83 yards — he accomplished passes to seven totally different gamers, together with 4 totally different gamers for touchdowns: Ben Skowronek, Jonnu Smith, Calvin Austin and Jaylen Warren.
That is a vital improvement as a result of one other of the Steelers’ large query marks coming into this season was who would emerge as a No. 2 large receiver after Metcalf.
Austin had a robust 12 months in 2024, and second-year participant Roman Wilson figures to play an even bigger function after lacking most of his rookie season attributable to damage. Neither participant is a confirmed pass-catching choice who’s a transparent No. 2.
The wild card in all of this was going to be the tight ends, the place the Steelers go 4 deep with Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward. Freiermuth and Smith mixed for eight catches and a landing on Sunday.
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