Aaron Rodgers' late heroics lift Steelers to 34-32 win over Jets in return to MetLife

Aaron Rodgers returned to MetLife Stadium on Sunday and engineered a dramatic comeback that delivered the Pittsburgh Steelers a 34-32 victory over the New York Jets.

Rodgers, making his debut with Pittsburgh after two seasons in New York, threw four touchdown passes and finished with 244 yards passing. With the Steelers trailing 32-31 and under a minute remaining, the drive set up kicker Chris Boswell’s 60-yard field goal, which he converted to give Pittsburgh the lead and ultimately the win.

Justin Fields, starting his first game under a new era in New York, was outstanding for the Jets, rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for another. Fields led several sustained drives and finished with a performance that kept the game in doubt until the final minute. The Jets’ decision to attempt two two-point conversions earlier in the game — both unsuccessful — proved consequential in the final score.

The game carried a layered narrative before kickoff. Rodgers’ tenure in New York ended after brief meetings with the Jets’ new regime in February; the team moved on and signed Fields to a sizable contract. Rodgers subsequently signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh. His return to MetLife was met with boos from many in attendance, and the stadium also saw pockets of empty seats amid morning travel disruptions affecting trains into New York’s Penn Station.

Pittsburgh struck first on its opening possession, a 71-yard drive capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Ben Skowronek. The Jets answered quickly; Fields connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson on New York’s ensuing drive. A Braelon Allen rushing touchdown and two Nick Folk field goals gave the Jets a halftime lead at various points, while the Steelers’ offense responded with scoring drives that included a touchdown by Jonnu Smith.

The second quarter saw both offenses exchange scores and the contest remained tight into halftime. The third quarter opened with three consecutive punts before Fields extended New York’s lead with a rushing touchdown. Rodgers and the Steelers continued to trade punches, with Jaylen Warren and Calvin Austin among the players making key plays for Pittsburgh.

A pivotal moment came on a kickoff return when Xavier Gipson was stripped of the ball by Kenneth Gainwell, and Pittsburgh recovered. Rodgers quickly capitalized, finding Calvin Austin for a score that swung momentum toward the visitors. Fields answered with a well-executed fake handoff and a rushing touchdown that brought the Jets back into the lead. New York’s two failed two-point attempts earlier in the game loomed large as the clock wound down.

In the closing minute, Rodgers marched the Steelers into field-goal range, relying on a balance of short completions and timely throws. Boswell’s 60-yard attempt split the uprights with under a minute left, and Pittsburgh ran out the clock after a kneel to seal the victory.

Rodgers’ return to the stadium where he played two seasons ended with mixed emotions. He was booed throughout parts of the afternoon but also drew praise for his late-game command. The result is a stark turnaround from Rodgers’ first season injury in his New York debut two years ago and the truncated meeting with Jets personnel in February that preceded his exit.

Fields’ performance under pressure highlighted the Jets’ potential as they begin another chapter under head coach Aaron Glenn. Despite the loss, New York’s offense showed playmaking ability and resilience. Special teams and the missed two-point conversions factored into the final margin.

The Steelers improved to 1-0 with the victory, while the Jets fell to 0-1 and will examine late-game decisions and execution as they prepare for the next week. Both quarterbacks provided storylines fitting for Week 1: Rodgers with a late-season revival for a new team, and Fields with a strong individual showing amid a turbulent preseason and season-opening travel snags for fans.