When Aaron Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the NFL world was buzzing with curiosity. Could the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer still deliver magic after his exit from the New York Jets? Could he thrive under Mike Tomlin in a new system, in front of one of the league’s most passionate fanbases? Those questions didn’t take long to answer.
On Sunday, Rodgers delivered a performance that wasn’t just good — it was historic. Completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions, Rodgers finished with a passer rating of 136.7. That mark wasn’t only impressive by Week 1 standards. It was the highest single-game passer rating by a Steelers quarterback in the last seven seasons.
And when you think of the quarterbacks who have passed through Pittsburgh in that span — Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett, Russell Wilson, Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky — that fact becomes even more eye-opening. Rodgers, in one game, already carved his name into the Steelers’ record books.
Why Rodgers’ Debut Mattered More Than Just Stats
Steelers Nation has been yearning for stability under center since Big Ben retired after the 2021 season. The carousel of quarterbacks that followed — Trubisky, Rudolph, and most recently Pickett — never quite gave fans the confidence that Pittsburgh was truly back in contention.
Enter Aaron Rodgers, one of the most decorated quarterbacks of all time, a four-time NFL MVP, and Super Bowl champion. His arrival brought hope, but also skepticism. After all, Rodgers was coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and had endured a rocky ending in Green Bay and a lost season with the Jets. Many wondered: was this move a desperation play by Pittsburgh, or the spark that could reignite a championship run?
On Sunday, Rodgers gave his answer — loud and clear. This wasn’t just another quarterback in black and gold. This was Aaron Rodgers, and his debut couldn’t have been scripted better.
Breaking Down the Historic Performance
Rodgers’ 136.7 passer rating wasn’t just a fluke of numbers. It was built on precision, efficiency, and his trademark calm in the pocket.
22 completions on 30 attempts: That’s a 73.3% completion rate, showing Rodgers’ accuracy was locked in.
244 passing yards: Not the gaudiest yardage total, but Rodgers played smart, taking what the defense gave him and striking when opportunities appeared.
4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions: The ultimate QB stat line. Rodgers not only put points on the board but protected the football — a must in the AFC North, where turnovers are costly.
By the end of the afternoon, Rodgers had outperformed expectations and given Pittsburgh the kind of quarterback play it hadn’t seen since Ben Roethlisberger’s glory days.
The Company Rodgers Keeps
To understand how special Rodgers’ 136.7 passer rating was, let’s look at the Steelers’ highest passer ratings in a game over the last seven years:
Aaron Rodgers — 136.7 (Week 1, 2025)
Russell Wilson — 126.4 (Week 13, 2024)
Ben Roethlisberger — 125.4 (Week 5, 2020)
That’s it. Only three times in seven years has a Steelers quarterback posted a passer rating north of 125. And Rodgers, in his very first game with the team, topped them all.
For context: the NFL average passer rating hovers between 90–93 most seasons. Anything above 120 in a game is considered elite. Rodgers wasn’t just good — he was historically efficient.
What It Means for the Steelers
This debut does more than just put Rodgers in the record books. It shifts the narrative for the entire 2025 season.
Legitimacy in the AFC North: For years, Pittsburgh has been playing catch-up with Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, Joe Burrow’s Bengals, and now even Deshaun Watson’s Browns. With Rodgers, the Steelers finally have a quarterback who can go toe-to-toe with the division’s elite.
Stability for the offense: Wideouts like George Pickens and DK Metcalf (acquired to pair with Rodgers) now have a quarterback who can maximize their talent. Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren benefit from lighter defensive boxes when Rodgers is firing. The ripple effect is massive.
A Super Bowl window re-opened: Let’s be honest — no team trades for Aaron Rodgers unless they believe they can win it all. After Sunday, it’s clear the Steelers’ front office may have been right to swing big.
Rodgers vs. Wilson vs. Big Ben
The fact that Rodgers’ performance topped Wilson’s 2024 outing and even Big Ben’s last great statistical game in 2020 is telling.
Russell Wilson (126.4, Week 13, 2024): Wilson gave Steelers fans hope with flashes of his old Seattle brilliance, but it came too late in the season and didn’t change Pittsburgh’s trajectory.
Ben Roethlisberger (125.4, Week 5, 2020): This was vintage Big Ben, the kind of efficiency and dominance that defined his career. But by 2021, his arm had lost its zip.
Aaron Rodgers (136.7, Week 1, 2025): Rodgers didn’t just meet expectations — he set a new bar.
Rodgers’ debut instantly put him at the top of a list that includes a franchise legend and another future Hall of Famer. That’s not just a good start — that’s a statement.
Steelers Fans React
The fanbase, never shy about its opinions, erupted after Rodgers’ debut. Social media lit up with praise:
“This is the best QB play I’ve seen since Ben was in his prime. Rodgers looks locked in.”
“Man, Aaron Rodgers in black and gold just feels right. If this is what we’re getting, look out NFL.”
“We finally have a quarterback who can actually WIN us games, not just manage them.”
For a city that prides itself on football excellence, Rodgers’ performance was more than a win. It was hope, belief, and swagger rolled into one.
The Road Ahead
Of course, one game doesn’t define a season. The NFL is a marathon, not a sprint, and Rodgers will face tougher defenses and bigger tests. Can his 40-year-old body hold up for 17 games? Can he keep the efficiency rolling when the AFC North battles get physical?
Those questions remain unanswered. But one thing is certain: Rodgers has already erased doubts about whether he still has the magic. He does. And now, the Steelers are suddenly one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025.
A Debut to Remember
Aaron Rodgers didn’t just debut with the Steelers — he debuted with history. His 136.7 passer rating wasn’t just a statistical footnote. It was a declaration that Rodgers is here to compete, to lead, and to bring championship football back to Pittsburgh.
In a franchise that has seen legends like Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger under center, Rodgers’ first impression was as close to flawless as it gets. And if Sunday was any indication, Steelers Nation might just be witnessing the beginning of something special — a final chapter for Rodgers that could end with the ultimate prize.
Because sometimes, the football gods have a way of writing stories we never saw coming. And right now, Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh looks like one of those stories.
