Steelers teammates credit Aaron Rodgers' poise and mentorship after 34-32 comeback at Jets

Aaron Rodgers delivered a commanding debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing four touchdown passes and helping seal a dramatic 34-32 road victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in Week 1.

The game’s decisive sequence came late in the fourth quarter after a Xavier Gipson fumble on a kickoff return. Two plays after the turnover, Rodgers threw his fourth touchdown, and Chris Boswell added a 60-yard field goal to secure the win. The 41-year-old quarterback, who was booed by many Jets fans on his return to New York, cupped his ear to the stands as he left the field.

Locker room celebrations after the upset were raucous. Tight end Jonnu Smith said he briefly lost a piece of jewelry in the chaos but was relieved when it was returned a few seconds later. "We needed that," Smith told the Daily Mail, calling the victory "a huge win on the road."

Teammates credited Rodgers with steadying the offense and elevating the locker room. Running back Jaylen Warren, who lined up beside Rodgers much of the afternoon and connected with him on Pittsburgh’s third touchdown, said it has been "an honor being by one of the best to ever play the game." "No matter the situation in the game, he always keeps his composure," Warren told the Daily Mail.

Rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer, a fourth‑round pick who grew up impersonating Rodgers on the playground, described the quarterback as "even better than we all could have expected." Sawyer said Rodgers routinely makes rookies feel welcome, eating lunch with them and taking time to talk about football and life.

Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson said Rodgers’ presence has reshaped preparation. "He's locked in all the time," Thompson told the Daily Mail. He described Rodgers as someone who tests players in practice — occasionally signaling things unrelated to the play to ensure teammates are on the same page — and praised Rodgers for sharing knowledge and football IQ. Thompson recounted a preseason example in which Rodgers’ sideline advice anticipated a defensive ploy, and when the situation arose in the game, the adjustment worked.

Rodgers joined the Steelers after being released by the Jets in March and reportedly signed a one‑year, $13.6 million deal. He had contemplated retirement after a difficult stint in New York, where he endured boos and scrutiny during a multiyear decline in team results. Former Steelers great Terry Bradshaw had derided the move in May; Rodgers’ performance on Sunday served as a high‑profile rebuttal.

Players described Rodgers as a demanding teammate who combines intensity in meetings and on the practice field with a willingness to mentor younger players. "He makes you feel welcome," Sawyer said. "He makes you feel at home — for guys who maybe just gotten signed, or guys who were bouncing around during training camp, he made everyone feel comfortable and like they were a part of the team."

Coaches and opponents now face the challenge of matching Rodgers’ experience over a season. Pittsburgh faces a stiffer test on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and the Steelers will look to build on a start that has raised expectations about their offensive ceiling. For a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2016, teammates said Rodgers’ leadership and continued playmaking could be a vital ingredient.

Smith added that his appreciation for Rodgers has grown after seeing the person behind the player: "I've always known he's a Hall of Fame player and one of the best to ever do it. And (now) knowing the person, it makes a lot sweeter," he told the Daily Mail.