A long-awaited decision was finally made on Friday, as Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There was a lot of buzz surrounding the negotiations between the future Hall-of-Famer and the AFC North side, and fans were unsure if he would return for a 21st season.
The schedules for the upcoming season are set, and as luck would have it, Rodgers will go up against his former team, the New York Jets, in Week 1 of the 2025-26 season.
Aaron Rodgers’ Tenure With the Jets
After 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers was traded to the Jets in April 2023 with the hopes of bringing them their second Lombardi Trophy.
On his fourth snap as a Jet, Rodgers got sacked and ruptured his Achilles, sidelining him for the rest of the season. This injury raised many concerns about his future and whether he would ever return to a superstar level. He remained healthy last season, but the Jets finished with a disappointing 5-12 record and released him.
The Rodgers era in New York was disappointing and short-lived, but Gang Green enters the 2025 season with a new quarterback room and looks to make their first postseason since 2010.
Aaron’s Antagonizing Free Agency
Prior to signing with the Steelers, the few teams that were potential landing spots for Rodgers didn’t appreciate his approach to free agency. Rodgers began his offseason flying to New York to speak with head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, who are both entering their first season with the Jets.
They informed him that they were moving in a different direction, influencing him to contemplate retirement. Rodgers had meetings with the Steelers, Giants, and Vikings before the draft, but never told anyone if he wanted to play another season. Notoriously known for having a big ego and holding grudges, teams weren’t waiting for Rodgers to make a decision and decided to pivot.
The Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round, and the Vikings announced that J.J. McCarthy would be their starter, leaving the Steelers as the only feasible destination for Rodgers. Fortunately for Rodgers, the Steelers played the waiting game and orchestrated a great deal that benefits both sides.
Now, about Week 1
Opening week for the 2025 season has become more intriguing as Rodgers and Justin Fields will line up under center against their previous teams.
Both quarterbacks have an opportunity to make a statement to the franchises that decided to replace them. In his one season with the Steelers, Fields had a 4-2 record as the starter. Once Russell Wilson healed from a calf injury, Fields was replaced, and the team ended the season with their second consecutive Wild-Card exit. In the Big Apple, regular-season woes continued for the Jets as they missed the playoffs for the 14th straight season. Stakes are high for both organizations in this matchup, and Sept. 7 is marked on both their calendars with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium.
Safe to say the reception for Rodgers will be a rousing one.
