Behind Chris Boswell's 60-yard boot, Steelers launch 2025 with win over Jets

Brian Batko, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sep 7, 2025

Published in Football

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Players have to execute, of course, but Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith couldn’t have put his stamp on the Steelers’ season-opening win much more than he did.

The result was a four-touchdown game for Aaron Rodgers in his Steelers debut and a 34-32 win that saved the defense from a largely miserable day trying to stop Justin Fields and the new-look Jets. Rodgers threw for 244 yards on 22-of-30 passing, no completion more unbelievable than DK Metcalf’s juggling grab that ricocheted off of players from both teams and back to Metcalf for an 11-yard gain into Jets territory with 2:42 left.

That ultimately set up the winning field goal by Chris Boswell — from a career-long 60 yards out, no less — but a huge play on special teams highlighted the Steelers’ fourth-quarter comeback from a 26-17 deficit. Backup running back Kenneth Gainwell stripped Xavier Gipson on a kick return and when fumble recovery specialist Ben Skowronek pounced on it, the offense had great field position at the Jets 22.

Smith drew up a picture-perfect play for Rodgers to find Calvin Austin III on an 18-yard touchdown catch that made it 31-26. The previous touchdown connection from Rodgers to Jaylen Warren for 5 yards was wide open, too, and even Jonnu Smith’s 3-yard touchdown went into the scorebook as a pass but was essentially a little shovel from Rodgers.

It was over when

Jalen Ramsey flattened Garrett Wilson on a fourth-and-3 incompletion from Fields with 25 seconds left, netting a turnover on downs. Ramsey then assumed Minkah Fitzpatrick’s old role as the last man of the victory formation in his Steelers debut.

Player of the game

Rodgers. Even if he looked statuesque in the pocket here and there, getting sacked four times, his presence alone seemed to instill a different sort of confidence in Smith’s play-calling, if not the pass-catchers, as well. The lack of mobility could prove to be a problem at times, but it’s easy to imagine Steelers fans sleeping well tonight knowing they have this level of quarterback play again.

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Calvin Austin III. In yet another offseason that was mired in chatter about being too thin at wide receiver, Austin showed why the Steelers have faith in him by grabbing four passes for 70 yards. He also was hard to stay in front of downfield and drew a pivotal pass-interference penalty on the Steelers’ final drive.

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Broderick Jones. His first game back at his natural left tackle position was one to forget, as Jets stud defensive end Will McDonald IV gave him fits from the jump. Jones was shaky for much of last season on the right side, and now he’ll continue to be viewed as the possible weak link of this offensive line.

Up next

The home opener at Acrisure Stadium, a 1 p.m. ET kickoff against DK Metcalf’s former team, the Seattle Seahawks.

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