With a new quarterback and new head coach, the New York Jets suffered devastating disappointment at the hands of a former quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers shook off gang green as he suited up for the black-and-gold and the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a season-opening win against the Jets at MetLife Stadium by a final score of 34-32.
Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday‼️@PALottery | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/U6r6j77Ghr
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
With his clutch kick, Chris Boswell’s leg got plenty of shoutouts on social media after he nailed the the game-winning field goal — a career-long 60-yarder.
CAREER-LONG, GO-AHEAD FG FOR CHRIS BOSWELL
A 60-yarder puts the Steelers back in front late! pic.twitter.com/r7j1WOGUxy
— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025
Hilarious #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/Vnqj8pcZXJ
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) September 8, 2025
While playing on his former home turf, Rodgers went 22 of 30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions for the Steelers — albeit with suffered four sacks.
“I’ve got to play a little better in spots but happy to be 1-0,” Rodgers told CBS Sports reporter Evan Waswhburn.
The former Jet also said he “was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets,” ESPN SportsCenter reported.
“I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets.”
—Aaron Rodgers after his 34-32 win over the Jets pic.twitter.com/WyAqADIYsp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 7, 2025
Zach Braziller of the New York Post lauded the Steelers’ performance, with a stark headline: “Aaron Rodgers rips Jets hearts out in unbelievable finish to Steelers debut.”
“One killer turnover and multiple penalties at bad times contributed to this gut punch of a loss that saw the Jets blow a pair of nine-point leads,” Braziller wrote in the analysis. “The setback wasted a terrific day from quarterback Justin Fields.”
The NY Post backpage today… pic.twitter.com/C0ZwRPa7MV
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 8, 2025
Fields, the Steelers former quarterback, conceded after the matchup that the Jets “gotta be better,” Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News reported.
“I think we played well, I think we ran the ball well,” Fields said after the game. “Offensive line did a great job. We only had one sack and that was in the red zone.”
Albert Bainbridge IV with NorthJersey.com offered insight into what Jets fan should learn after the team’s Week 1 loss.
“The lone turnover of the game proved to be a costly two-touchdown swing with the Steelers finding the end zone twice in less than a minute span in the final quarter,” Bainbridge wrote.
And The Athletic columnist Ian O’Connor called Rodgers’ takedown of the Jets “one of the sweetest victories” of his Hall of Fame career in the New York Times.
Here’s what New York Jets fans are saying on social media after the game:
Same Old Jets
— Gene Meyer (@GeneMeyerLOL) September 7, 2025
Such a gut wrenching loss. This one stings #Jets
— Jack????️☘️ (@Jdors1) September 7, 2025
Good thing about this season (for me), is I have zero expectations for the Jets.
Whether they win 2 games or 12, I’m here for it.
— Gabe De León, MD (@gabe_deleon) September 7, 2025
Jets lose because of a fumble from a guy who shouldn’t even be on the team and another guy (folk) who shouldn’t be on the team.
Then Wilson under pressure folds again.
ALSO, JUST RUN FOR THE FIRST DOWN.
— Chris (@KRNG_Chris) September 7, 2025
Up 2 scores then everything goes left! Life as a Jets fan ????
— ₦₳ĐłłⱤ (@Nadiir) September 7, 2025
I’m very happy with how the jets looked today offensively definitely some things to clean up but for fields to look like that against a veteran defense that knows him.
As for the defense kind of disappointed the pass rush looked better, so did Sauce but I’ll give the rest time.— Malakhi (@FootballByKhi) September 8, 2025
Stop it lol. This is not a devastating loss. This is a 3 win team. Be happy they scored 30. Never thought that would happen all season lol
— Jedi Master Wayne (@JediMasterWayne) September 7, 2025
This is the smartest play I’ve seen from a Jets team in years pic.twitter.com/45a9qRtlkx
— JetsMuse (@jetsmuse) September 7, 2025
Despite the loss, Justin Fields looked great in his first game as a Jet ???? pic.twitter.com/WuES0wlju9
— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) September 7, 2025
Nothing says the Jets are back like a devastating loss in a game they had every opportunity to win.
— Jack Mac (@JackMacCFB) September 7, 2025
Megan Swift is a TribLive reporter covering trending news in Western Pennsylvania. A Murrysville native, she joined the Trib full time in 2023 after serving as editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian at Penn State. She previously worked as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the Trib for three summers. She can be reached at mswift@triblive.com.