Aaron Rodgers, the new veteran quarterback Pittsburgh Steelers, is getting readied-up for a key matchup. Now, he’ll have to face his former team, the New York Jets, in the season opener this Sunday. Rodgers and co. are clearly looking to increase the excitement with the first game of the season. After a rough two-year tenure with the Jets that ended in a rough 5-12 finish in 2024, he’s suggesting there won’t be any special feelings when facing his old team.
Rodgers would begin his 2023 campaign with the Jets. That all changed when his year came to an end after he ruptured his Achilles in the opening game. Due to a rough stretch, he was cut by the Jets in March of 2024. After his release, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed his one-year original contract which was $13.65 million right before the team’s June minicamp.
Rodgers as he prepares to face the Jets. He’s on familiar turf in New York, though, as he’ll know a lot of the other sideline’s veterans, mainly Quincy and Quinnen Williams, Sauce Gardner, Tony Adams and Michael Carter III. He could identify the players because he’s been around them long enough. The problem is that the Jets are currently deploying an entirely different scheme than what was under his tenure.
His rookie head coach, Mike Tomlin, was not wavering on his faith in Rodgers. He has confidence in Rodgers to deal with the emotions that come from playing his old team. Tomlin suggested that Rodgers would be able to compartmentalize these emotions and focus on doing his job, which would be to help the Steelers win.
“I’d just be excited for Week 1,” – Aaron Rodgers
It’s only Week 1,” Rodgers said when addressing the importance of playing the Jets. He reiterated that his priority lies with his new team and the task at hand rather than any personal narrative surrounding his former franchise.
After a harrowing courtship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers finally came to terms with the Steelers on a deal. This is the second time in his career that he has started fresh with a new venture. Before the Jets, he spent 18 years with the Green Bay Packers.
Hilton and other players in the Steelers’ locker room have embraced Rodgers as he adapts to his position change and takes on a leadership role. Fourth-year tight end Pat Freiermuth said they were motivated to go out and win it for Rodgers. He acknowledged he’s not that interested in going back to his last beat.
Fellow teammate, WR DK Metcalf shared the same sentiment and shrugged off any extra stakes to the contest.
“Obviously we want to go out there and win it for him, but I don’t think he’s kind of living off that, that we’re going back to his old stomping ground. I think he’s just ready to go out there and compete and play,” – Pat Freiermuth
“I mean I don’t think his former team has anything to do with it,” – DK Metcalf
Rodgers’ experience and leadership will be key as the Steelers aim to begin their season on the right foot. It’s no wonder that fans can barely contain their excitement over this anticipated matchup. You can bet players on both sides of the field are feeling the anticipation as well.
“Obviously the Williams brothers [Quincy and Quinnen] and Sauce [Gardner] and TA [Tony Adams] and Jamien [Sherwood] and [Michael Carter], [Micheal Clemons], my buddy Jermaine [Johnson] is coming back from his Achilles. I don’t want to forget anybody… but they’re running a little different scheme,” – Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers’ experience and leadership will be crucial as the Steelers look to start their season on a positive note. The anticipation surrounding this matchup is palpable, not only for fans but also for players on both sides of the field.
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