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Aaron Rodgers Fires Back at Justin Fields’ ‘He Should’ve Retired’ Jab Ahead of Week 1 Showdown

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Pittsburgh, PA – Aaron Rodgers unleashed a sharp retort at New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who claimed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new signal-caller “should’ve retired before the Jets released him.” The fiery exchange has set the stage for their Week 1 clash at MetLife Stadium.

Fields, speaking on WFAN’s Boomer & Gio on June 12, didn’t hold back: "The Steelers have never been this easy to beat. Rodgers should’ve retired when the Jets cut him, because now I’m here to finish what he couldn’t. We’ll crush them at MetLife, no doubt about it."

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Rodgers, 41, who signed a one-year, $13.5 million deal with the Steelers, responded at minicamp with his trademark swagger: “Kid, when I stepped into the NFL, you were still learning to talk. Pipe down and show me something on the field.”

The four-time MVP’s clapback, per ESPN, underscores his defiance amid doubts about his age. In 2024, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets, per Pro-Football-Reference.com, proving he’s far from finished despite a 5-12 season.

Fields, 26, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets, led a 4-2 start for the Steelers in 2024 before being benched. His 1,110 yards and five touchdowns pale against Rodgers’ veteran prowess, fueling the rivalry, per NFL.com.

Steeler Nation erupted on X: “Rodgers owns Fields!” (@SteelerFanatic). Jets fans countered: “Justin’s our future!” (@GangGreenNY). The matchup, pitting Pittsburgh’s sixth-ranked defense against New York’s revamped offense, is a must-watch, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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Rodgers’ arrival, alongside D.K. Metcalf and Christian McCaffrey, signals Pittsburgh’s all-in push to end an eight-year playoff win drought. With $31.88 million in cap space, per Spotrac, GM Omar Khan is banking on Rodgers’ leadership for Super Bowl LX.

As training camp looms, Rodgers’ fiery words ignite anticipation for September 7’s opener. Will he silence Fields and prove his doubters wrong? Stay tuned to ESPN for updates on this electrifying showdown!

New Orleans Saints Lose to New England Patriots in NFL Week 6 2025
Fuel the fire, wear your passion, and stand proud with the Saints — this is more than merch, it’s a movement! SHOP NOW New Orleans, October 12, 2025 – In the Week 6 matchup of the 2025 NFL season at Caesars Superdome on October 12, the New Orleans Saints suffered a defeat against the New England Patriots with a score of 19-25. This marks the fourth win for the Patriots this season, improving their record to 4-2, while the Saints continue to struggle with a 1-5 record. The game featured an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Drake Maye of the Patriots, who completed 20/30 passes for 243 yards, 3 touchdowns (TDs), and 1 interception. Maye led the Patriots in a comeback after the first half, where the Saints had briefly taken the lead. The Saints, led by quarterback Spencer Rattler, put up a fight but couldn't overcome the opponent's solid defense. Summary of Key Moments by Quarter: Quarter 1: The Saints started strong with a 53-yard pass from Spencer Rattler to wide receiver Chris Olave on the very first play, leading to a 34-yard field goal (FG) by Blake Grupe, opening the score at 3-0. The Patriots quickly responded with a 53-yard TD pass from Drake Maye to DeMario Douglas, taking a 7-3 lead. The Saints narrowed it with a 48-yard FG from Grupe, ending the quarter at 7-6 in favor of the Patriots. Quarter 2: The Patriots extended their lead with a 25-yard TD pass from Maye to Kayshon Boutte, making it 14-6. The Saints refused to back down, executing a 60-yard drive capped by a 1-yard rushing TD from Taysom Hill, closing the gap to 14-13. A standout defensive play saw the Saints stop the Patriots on fourth down due to a botched snap, leading to a 38-yard FG by Grupe and a 16-14 lead for the Saints. However, the Patriots regained the advantage with a 29-yard TD pass from Maye to Boutte, plus a successful 2-point conversion, ending the first half at 22-16. Quarter 3: The Patriots gained better control, adding an FG to push the score to 25-16. The Saints struggled offensively, failing to score in this quarter despite some good defensive plays, such as a sack on Maye after a fumbled snap. The Patriots maintained their edge thanks to Maye's efficient passing game. Quarter 4: The Saints attempted a comeback with an FG from Grupe, narrowing it to 25-19. However, they couldn't score further, despite a 21-yard pass from Rattler to Olave. The Patriots controlled the clock and defended stoutly to secure the win. The game ended with a final ball recovery by the Patriots. Key Stats: New England Patriots: Drake Maye: 20/30, 243 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Kayshon Boutte: 5 receptions, 92 yards, 2 TDs. Rushing: Total 85 yards, led by Antonio Gibson (12 carries, 45 yards). Defense: 2 interceptions, 3 sacks. New Orleans Saints: Spencer Rattler: 22/40, 225 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs. Chris Olave: 6 receptions, 102 yards. Alvin Kamara: 15 carries, 62 yards; reached 11,943 career scrimmage yards, ranking 71st in NFL history. Blake Grupe: 4/4 FGs, contributing 13 points. Saints head coach Kellen Moore expressed disappointment in the post-game press conference: "We fought hard, but we need to improve to capitalize on opportunities better." The game also sparked controversy over some referee decisions, with numerous yellow flags affecting both teams. Next week, the Saints face the Denver Broncos, while the Patriots take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Stay tuned for more updates on the 2025 NFL season!