Overcoming challenges: The Steelers started the 2025 season off defeating the New York Jets, 34-32, at MetLife Stadium in a game that was filled with energy and excitement and came down to the wire.

“Wow, that was fun and challenging at the same time,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “The NFL season is back. Sixty minutes of football.”

Kicker Chris Boswell sealed the win when he nailed a 60-yard field goal with 1:03 to play in the game.

“I can’t say enough about Boz,” said Tomlin. “Our kicker is a serial killer and he’s he got a low pulse rate. He can’t wait to deliver.”

Boswell isn’t the only one who delivered. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, facing his former team in the Jets, completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yads and four touchdowns in his first game in a Steelers uniform.

“I just thought he was game all day,” said Tomlin. “But again, you guys asked me last week why was I confident? That’s why I was confident. That’s what I’ve been looking at in preparation. And I’m appreciative of it. Not only his efforts, but the efforts of the collective.”

Rodgers is one of multiple newcomers to the Steelers who had an impact on the game. Others included cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who broke-up a pass on fourth down to close out the game, receiver DK Metcalf, who had two receptions for 54 yards, and running back Kenneth Gainwell, who forced a fumble on special teams that eventually led to a Steelers touchdown.

“I’m excited about the new Steelers, whether they’re new to the league or new to us,” said Tomlin. “We got a lot of plays from a lot a new Steelers today. They’re earning their place in Steelers lore with their efforts. We talked a little bit about that last night. I don’t care about what means you get here, you play one for this organization, you’re a Steeler.

“And so, a lot of guys etched their names into that legacy with their efforts in play today. Can’t say enough about Kenny G(ainwell), that offensive player making a tackle on kickoff and knocking that ball loose, I think (Ben) Skowronek recovered.

“It’s just an example of making plays in all three phases and being a football player first and a positional player second.”

While the Steelers walked away with the win, Tomlin definitely sees some areas he wants them to work on heading into the home opener against the Seattle Seahawks next week.

“I tip my cap to the New York Jets,” said Tomlin. “They were a worthy opponent. They fought. They really put us up against the challenges in a lot of ways.

“It’s unknown sometimes when you’re playing a new staff. I thought that we exposed in some of those spaces at times, but I thought the coaches did a real good job of communication, the players did a really good job of communicating and adjusting. We made about one or two more plays than they did. And sometimes these games are decided by that.

“I’m excited about the next week’s process. We got an opportunity to get a lot better between week one and week two. We’re going to need to, obviously. Our slip was showing a little bit today in some areas. We weren’t good enough in the running game, particularly the RPO running game. We didn’t put enough pressure on Justin (Fields).

“On the offensive side of the ball, I thoughts some negative plays killed drives. We didn’t protect our quarterback well enough on play pass. Trying to go for chunks on first and second down, they sacked us a couple of times in those instances, that put us behind the chains. You can’t be behind the change in a hostile environment in a close football game. Usually, those bills come due.

“Those are some of the things that you know you talk about or you feel immediately after but, certainly we’ll comb through this and work to get better. That’s a part of the process, that cycle of prepare, play, evaluate, and make necessary corrections and play again. And so I’m excited about looking at the video and dissecting it, the things that we need to improve upon and going to work next week with this group.”