Photo: NFL on CBS
Steel City Underground presents our 2025 Plays of the Year series: a weekly rewind through the biggest moments, breakout performances, and unforgettable highlights from last season’s Pittsburgh Steelers campaign.
There was a sense of nervousness and anticipation among the faithful members of Steelers Nation surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ debut in the black and gold. With the veteran quarterback having taken zero preseason snaps, Week 1 marked a reunion for Rodgers with the New York Jets — this time as their opponent.
Rodgers worked some magic despite more than a few difficult situations created by the Steelers’ offensive line, finding ways to keep his skill players on the same page while throwing four touchdown passes in a close 34-32 road victory. We looked back at each of those four touchdowns.
BEN SKOW TUDDY‼️
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/7EW0cGApVS
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
On their opening offensive drive, down 3-0, the Steelers took ten plays to march 71 yards into the end zone.
On 2nd-and-7 at the Jets’ 22-yard line, Rodgers lined up under center, rolled back to sell the play-action fake, and connected with receiver Ben Skowronek, who turned it into a catch-and-run touchdown. The subsequent Chris Boswell PAT was good, giving the Steelers a 7-3 lead.
FIRST TD IN THE BLACK & GOLD ‼️ @Easymoney_81
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/OsxcGowjgr
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
The Steelers trailed 19-10 in the waning moments of the second quarter. Another sustained drive — nine plays covering 65 yards — had Pittsburgh knocking on the door once again.
On 2nd-and-goal at the Jets’ 3-yard line, Rodgers took the snap from shotgun and pitched it to tight end Jonnu Smith in motion. Smith circled the right edge, fought through traffic, and stretched the ball to the pylon for the score. It marked Smith’s first touchdown with the Steelers.
Jumping in for six 🙌 @Nunless2
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/imbyUmeZEl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
Although rushing came at a cost for Pittsburgh due to heavy pressure from the Jets’ defensive front, Jaylen Warren found his opportunity to score in the third quarter. Trailing 26-17, Warren carried left for three yards to close out the quarter.
On 1st-and-goal at the Jets’ 5-yard line, Rodgers took the snap under center and bootlegged to his right. Warren slipped into the flat uncovered, made the catch, and walked into the end zone for the touchdown.
WIDE OPEN @CalvinAustinIII 🙌
📺: #PITvsNYJ on @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/6CU8YNCJZ5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 7, 2025
Following a fortuitous special teams strip and fumble recovery by Kenneth Gainwell and Ben Skowronek, the Steelers offense regained possession in the fourth quarter trailing just 26-24. Two plays later, Pittsburgh struck again.
On 2nd-and-6 at the Jets’ 18-yard line, Rodgers — once again under center — dropped back into a short bootleg to his left and fired a pass down the right slot, finding a wide-open Calvin Austin for the go-ahead touchdown, putting the Steelers back in front 31-26.
Rodgers took the field two final times in the fourth quarter, with one drive ending in a punt that led to a Jets score, while the second set up a 60-yard, career-long field goal by Chris Boswell.
The Steelers held on to a 34-32 lead thanks to a key tackle by Jalen Ramsey on Garrett Wilson, forcing an incompletion and a turnover on downs to seal the victory.
Rodgers finished his Steelers debut with the following stats: Passing: 22/30 for 244 yards (8.1 avg), 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 4 sacks, 136.7 rating.
Check back each week as we continue spotlighting the plays that defined the Steelers’ 2025 season — one moment at a time.
