Aaron Rodgers downplays facing Jets in Steelers' opener - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers isn't giving his former team any free bulletin board material this week.

Speaking at his weekly media availability Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback deflected all questions about returning to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets in Sunday's season opener, downplaying the significance of the game.

Asked whether there was anything to the game because of the location and opponent or whether it was business as usual, Rodgers was brief.

«Yeah,» he said, «it's Week 1.»

Rodgers was similarly succinct when asked what he expects of his emotions when he runs out of the tunnel at MetLife.

«I'd just be excited for Week 1,» he said.

Rodgers, of course, was released by the Jets, under new coach Aaron Glenn, in March after a disastrous two-year stint in New York that started with a season-ending Achilles injury in the 2023 opener and ended with a disjointed 5-12 campaign in 2024. Rodgers ultimately landed with the Steelers, signing a one-year, $13.65 million contract prior to their June minicamp after a prolonged courtship. The Jets, meanwhile, signed onetime Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal early in free agency.

For Rodgers, joining the Steelers is the second time in his career — and second time in three seasons — he has started over with a new organization after spending his first 18 years with the Green Bay Packers. So far, it has been a seamless transition.

«This is the second new, so it's the new new,» he said. «I'm loving being here. The way that I've been welcomed has been really, really special from top down to the fans to guys in the locker room and sports staff, the men and women that work for this organization has been really, really special.»

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