Former New York Quarterback Praised for His Impressive Steelers Debut Performance
The New York Jets released veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in March. Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in June. Many fans wondered how well the 41-year-old quarterback would play in what could be his last season in the NFL. Sunday's game was Rodgers' debut game as a Steeler, and of all teams to play against, it was his former team. Rodgers showed everyone in MetLife Stadium that he's still an excellent quarterback, leading the Steelers to a 34-32 victory against the Jets. Completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns, Rodgers was praised by many for his performance in MetLife.
After a spectacular Steelers debut, Rodgers is the first player in the past 60 seasons to have 240+ yards, four passing touchdowns, and no interceptions in his team debut. Additionally, he's the first Steelers quarterback in the team's history to throw four touchdown passes in his debut game. The performance alone was the best by a Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger, who threw four touchdown passes in the Steelers' season opener in 2007. He's also the first Steelers quarterback since Roethlisberger to throw four touchdowns in one regular-season game. Rodgers' performance also tied Tom Brady's NFL record of 28 career games with at least four touchdown passes and no interceptions, with much praise from his new team.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his confidence in Rodgers. He explained, "I just thought he was game all day. But you guys asked me all week why I was confident? That's why I was confident. That's what I've been looking at in preparation." Rodgers' new teammates praised him after the game on Sunday. Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith remarked, "He's one of the best to ever do it. He was out there doing his thing today. He's a great leader for us…Putting up 34 points was just huge." Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith said, "He's everything I've thought he was when I've been watching him since I was two years old. He is who he is for a reason, man. And we saw it today, yeah."
Much praise was shown, but not just by his own team. Mark Madden spoke about Aaron Rodgers during his Madden Monday podcast. Madden remarked, "Aaron Rodgers played better in that game than he did all season last year in any one game for the New York Jets. Of course, that could be because last year, he never had the opportunity to play against the Jets. But I thought he was just tremendous." ESPN analyst and former NFL player Dan Orlovsky compared Rodgers' performance to his days playing for the Green Bay Packers. He said, "Early on, you were just like 'Wait, is this 2021 again?' Rodgers on the move. [He] was absolutely fantastic, and I loved the way that he navigated their offense. I thought it was the best game he's played since he was a Green Bay Packer." Additionally, Rodgers was named the Steelers Digest Player of the Week, so much accomplishment on just his first game with the Steelers.
