Steelers vs Jets NFL Pick: Aaron Rodgers Faces His Former Team (Sep 7)

• NFL Week 1 starts with a bang as the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, Jets triangle takes center stage at MetLife Stadium
• Rodgers and the Steelers are a marriage of necessity and convenience that could go either way this season
• The Jets, ironically, will start Justin Fields, who was the Steelers’ QB in their season opener in 2024
• The Steelers blew out the Jets in Pittsburgh last season by a 37-15 score

The Steelers Try a New Tack

The Steelers and Rodgers came together either through a fortuitous confluence of events or desperation. Rodgers is their latest attempt to replace Ben Roethlisberger. One of their 2024 QBs, Justin Fields, is now starting for the Jets.

Does Rodgers have anything left? He looked slow in training camp drills, but he will forever have his keen vision and decision-making skills. As for his arm and accuracy, it will be good enough. But can he move if the intense and aggressive Jets head coach, Aaron Glenn, has his team pressuring Rodgers from the very first minute?

When evaluating Rodgers’ performance for the Jets in 2024, he can still perform at a reasonably high level. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards, had 28 TD passes, and 11 interceptions.

The entire Steelers’ backfield is remade with Rodgers, rookie Kaleb Johnson, and Kenny Gainwell. Rodgers has sufficient weapons with D.K. Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Jaylen Warren.

Pittsburgh also significantly remade its defense, acquiring Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. They also focused on the defensive line in the draft with Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer, and Yahya Black.

Another New Start for the Jets

Glenn takes over as head coach, and Fields is their QB. If Fields can be efficient and mistake-free, the Jets could be a dark horse for the playoffs. They have solid pieces on offense with running backs Braelon Allen and Breece Hall, receivers Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds, and Arian Smith, and tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Mason Taylor.

Defense should be a strength with shutdown corner Sauce Gardner joined by FSU draftee Azareye’h Thomas on the other side. Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald will pressure Rodgers.

Steelers vs Jets NFL Pick

The Jets will go all in to see if Rodgers can move quickly enough to avoid the rush and get the ball away. Although Sauce is questionable with a calf problem, he is expected to play. The Steelers’ tight ends and backs will get a lot of work if Rodgers manages to stay upright.

If Fields doesn’t turn the ball over and the backs show they can accrue yardage, the Jets should keep the game close and have a very good chance to win.

The game is about more than Steelers-Aaron Rodgers-Jets.

Already this week, we’ve seen one legend, Bill Belichick, show that perhaps he should’ve retired.

Will Rodgers be the second?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

But he won’t get his “revenge” on the Jets (even though both sides share the blame in his underwhelming tenure with Gang Green). The Jets will keep it close and cover the spread.