Aaron Rodgers shows deeper passing style in Steelers' season opener

In the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-13 season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Aaron Rodgers demonstrated a shift in his playing style compared to the previous season. During the 2025 season, Rodgers recorded the quickest average time to throw and the shallowest average depth of target among NFL starting quarterbacks.

In the Week 1 matchup, Rodgers held the ball longer and targeted deeper passes. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Rodgers averaged 2.95 seconds from snap to throw and an average intended air yardage of 9.5 yards. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio noted that the team intended to take more shots to stretch the opposing coverage.

Defensively, the Steelers utilized a less aggressive approach than in previous years, blitzing at a rate of only 10.5% during the game. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham indicated that blitzing frequency will remain situational based on weekly matchups and game requirements.