Aaron Rodgers Emphatically Called Out Doubters in Postgame Comments of Week 1 Win

Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns in his victorious debut with the Steelers.

Aaron Rodgers stuck up for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith after the Steelers' Week 1 win over the Jets. / Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

When Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers in June, there were a number of questions surrounding his fit with the team, including in the Arthur Smith-led offense. Though Rodgers expressed excitement to work with Smith throughout the summer, it was still unknown how he would fit within Smith's tight-end, run-heavy offense over the offenses he's accustomed to leading.

Through the first week of the season, the answer is pretty well. Aaron Rodgers put on a vintage performance in his first game in the Smith offense, completing 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers and the Steelers went toe-to-toe with the impressive Justin Fields-led Jets offense on Sunday to earn the 34-32 win while silencing doubters in the process.

"There's a lot of garbage being talked about myself or Arthur [Smith] or whatever out there, how we're going to coexist," Rodgers told Evan Washburn of CBS Sports after the game. "We've got a great relationship. He called a really good game. I gotta play a little better in spots, but happy to be 1-0."

"There's a lot of garbage being talked about myself or Arthur [Smith] ... how we're going to coexist. We've got a great relationship. He called a really good game."

- @steelers QB Aaron Rodgers to @EvanWashburn pic.twitter.com/2EWKw9XdFc

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025

Each time the Jets scored and either took or extended their lead, Rodgers was able to drive the Steelers down the field and score to stay in the game. He led the field goal drive that ended up winning the game, and snagged a 1-0 start to the season.

While Rodgers might no longer be the quarterback he was in his prime—his mobility has particularly taken steps back as he plays into his 40s—and is coming off a tough season with the Jets, he clearly still has more left in the tank. Not only that, but he and Smith paired well in their first game together.

There is still a long season ahead, but Rodgers and Smith will look to build off this momentum when they face the Seahawks next week.

---

More NFL on Sports Illustrated

feed