Both quarterbacks will face their former team.
Former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This move had been long expected.
It is notable for the Jets for two reasons. First, Rodgers was the Jets’ quarterback last season. The two sides parted ways early in the offseason.
More significantly, the Steelers are the Jets’ Week 1 opponent. The NFL schedule makers likely matched the Steelers and the Jets up in the opener precisely because they anticipated Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh.
Rodgers won’t be the only quarterback facing his former team in this game. Early in the offseason, the Jets signed Justin Fields away from the Steelers. Fields was Pittsburgh’s backup quarterback for most of 2024 but did start the first six games in place of an injured Russell Wilson.
Assuming both Rodgers and Fields both stay healthy through training camp and the preseason, this game will make history. It will be the first time both Week 1 starting quarterbacks started in Week 1 the previous year for the other team.