Aaron Rodgers (left), Justin Fields (right); Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Week 1 of the NFL season brought plenty of surprises, but none stood out more than the performances of quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields. Both signal-callers impressed in their season debut, and ESPN's Mina Kimes didn't hold back when breaking down what she saw, including an admission that Fields far exceeded her expectations.
The Week 1 matchup between the Jets and the Steelers was a back-and-forth affair between two teams who seemed to be holding their own. Justin Fields and the Jets' offense looked nearly unstoppable for much of the game, stringing together scoring drives with ease. The young quarterback not only lived up to the preseason hype but far exceeded it.
Against a stacked Steelers defense, Fields showcased his full skill set, delivering sharp passes with precision and making plays with his legs. One of his best moments came on a perfectly placed deep ball to Garrett Wilson for a touchdown, a throw that highlighted just how far his game has come.
During her appearance on Rich Eisen's show, Kimes opened by highlighting Fields' showing, calling him "fantastic" and even going as far as to say he was "the best quarterback in that game." For Kimes, the Jets quarterback's poise, accuracy, and ability to spark the offense came as a shock.
"That was, to me, one of the most shocking performances of Week 1 because I did not have high hopes for the Jets offense, particularly coming off the offseason -- and they completely proved me wrong," she said.
Eisen also noted how Fields' success seemed to open things up for the Jets' run game, which in turn left Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledging something rare: his defense had been outplayed in the trenches.
"It's very rare for the Jets, who have struggled against most teams the last couple years, to leave a coach, let alone Mike Tomlin, saying, 'We need to button up our run defense after that last game,'" he emphasized.
However, in the end, it was Aaron Rodgers who got the last laugh against his former team, as the Steelers pulled out a thrilling 34-32 win in one of the most entertaining matchups of opening weekend.
Rodgers delivered a stellar performance, completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. Remarkably, the veteran only hit the four-touchdown mark once all of last season, making his debut outing with Pittsburgh all the most promising. Kimes praised Rodgers' efficiency and control, noting how his approach set the tone for the Jets' offensive rhythm.
"What we saw from Rodgers is going to be what we're going to see all year long, which is really efficient quarterback play," she explained. She pointed to his accuracy, his ability to create yards after the catch, and the way he mixed in "a few kill shots off the boots" as signs of a replicable, sustainable style of play.
If Kimes is to be believed, Rodgers' methodical efficiency is here to stay, while Fields has given fans and analysts alike a reason to believe that he may finally help the Jets turn a corner.