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Stephen A. Smith Sends Strong Message on Steelers' QB Decision After NFL Week 1 Matchup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 11:49 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets met in a closely contested matchup on Sunday, as the Steelers were able to pull off a 34-32 victory on the road. This game came down to a battle between the quarterbacks for each team, Aaron Rodgers on the Steelers and Justin Fields on the Jets.

Both signal callers played phenomenally, with Rodgers accounting for four touchdowns while Fields totaled three. Both of these quarterbacks were making their team debuts after spending last season with their opponent.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith commented on Sunday's matchup and the quarterback situation for the Steelers now and in the future.

"Justin Fields shocked the hell out of me," Smith said on "First Take." "Because he was throwing some dimes out there. If he continues to look like that, I'd be looking at the Steelers like, 'What'd you let him go for?'"

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets this offseason after playing 10 games with six starts for the Steelers in 2024. On Sunday, he was 16-of-22 passing for 218 yards and one touchdown through the air, while also rushing for 48 yards and two more scores.

Last year, Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record in the six games he started, as he totaled 1,106 passing yards and five touchdowns with one interception.

Fields' replacement in Pittsburgh, Rodgers, who is 41 years old, looked incredible as well, going 22-of-30 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns. After he was with the Jets the past two years, including going 5-12 as a starter in 2024, Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal with the Steelers in the offseason.

With Rodgers' retirement likely to come sooner rather than later, and the Steelers' backup quarterback being Mason Rudolph, only time will tell if Pittsburgh made the right decision in letting Fields walk.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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