Steelers Now
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had an eye-opening Steelers debut with four touchdown passes in Sunday’s 34-32 win over the New York Jets. Rodgers, who has struggled in Week 1 games in recent years, showcased that the old gunslinger still has plenty of juice left.
To say the least, it was the best performance by a Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired followed the 2021 season. Overall, Rodgers completed 22 of 30 passes (73.3%) for 244 yards with four touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 136.7.
The last time the Steelers had a QB throw for four TDs in a regular-season game was Roethlisberger on Nov. 15, 2020 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rodgers’ 136.7 passer rating against the Jets was the highest passer rating by a Steelers’ QB since Roethlisberger in Week 10 of 2018, nearly seven full years ago.
Rodgers is the first Steelers quarterback in franchise history to throw four touchdown passes in Week 1. He’s also the first QB in franchise history to throw four touchdowns in a debut.
Rodgers led the offensive on a 10-play, 71-yard opening drive touchdown against the Jets. Rodgers capped the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Ben Skowronek.
It marked the first opening drive touchdown for the Steelers since Dec. 23, 2023, when Mason Rudolph connected to George Pickens for an 86-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rodgers appeared locked in when speaking with the media earlier this week.
“I’ve been playing 20 years. Yeah, I know how to execute in a game situation,” Rodgers said when asked about not playing any snaps in the preseason.
Rodgers didn’t discount pregame jitters prior to Sunday’s game. Not on a Wednesday, however.
“Not on Wednesday, no,” he said. “I have to have something, otherwise I’m probably in the wrong profession, so I’ll be definitely excited come Sunday, but Wednesday, just kind of going through the week of preparation.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting for East Rutherford N.J.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Aaron Rodgers Has Historic Performance in Steelers Debut
