Gang Green Nation
It’s finally here. After a long, long offseason, the New York Jets finally play a meaningful game again. Today the Jets are in East Rutherford, New Jersey as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers to kickoff the 2025 season for both teams.
Last year the New York Jets had high hopes as future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned from injury in a season many expected the Jets to finally reach the playoffs. The optimism was quickly doused with a bracing dose of reality as the San Francisco 49ers blew out the hapless Jets to start an awful 5-12 Jets 2024 campaign. The Jets promptly cleaned house in the offseason, firing the coaches and the general manager and cutting Aaron Rodgers. As fate would have it, one team’s trash was another team’s treasure. After a long offseason courtship, the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually signed Rodgers to be their starting quarterback. In an interesting twist, the Jets had previously signed the Steeler’s 2024 opening day starter, Justin Fields, to be their new starting quarterback. Today we get the unprecedented spectacle of two teams each starting the other team’s opening day quarterback from the prior year. A double revenge game as it were.
Jets fans know Aaron Rodgers’ strengths and limitations at this point in his career. As for Justin Fields, his rushing ability is a significant weapon, but the Steelers are the best in the business in stopping mobile quarterbacks. Last year the Steelers unbelievably surrendered just 55 rushing yards on scrambles all season, the fewest allowed by any team since 2009. This game will be a formidable challenge for a Jets team presumably counting on Fields’ mobility this season.
It’s the Jets and the Steelers in the start of a new Jets era under head coach Aaron Glenn today. Enjoy the game everyone.
