As Aaron Rodgers inks what may be his final NFL contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, newly hired New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains unwary of his remarks. During the 2025 offseason, Rodgers traveled to New York on his dime to speak with Glenn and Jets brass. For Rodgers, the visit was unpredictable.
When the four-time MVP landed in New York, he expected to discuss a new deal with the Jets. To his surprise, Glenn stated the Jets would be “going in a different direction at quarterback.”
Rodgers was baffled. During a Tuesday, June 24, appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers said, “And I was shocked. Not shocked because I didn’t think that was a possibility. … But shocked because I just flew across the country. You could’ve told me this on the phone.”
Now, Glenn continues to make subtle jabs at the 20-year pro.
Aaron Glenn and Aaron Rodgers Send Jabs Ahead of Week One Matchup
Get your popcorn ready when Rodgers and the Steelers travel to MetLife Stadium in Week One to play the Jets. Not only will Rodgers return to the stadium that he played in just a year ago, but Jets quarterback Justin Fields will also face his former team in Pittsburgh.
With Glenn and Rodgers still on strange terms, the Jets head coach shook the boat even more. “He’s not trying to be the celebrity QB,” Glenn said in a “Sports Illustrated” article, referring to Fields. Glenn’s comments caused a stir and led Rodgers’ former teammate James Jones to respond during a segment on the FS1 show “The Facility.”
Aaron Glenn’s comments on Justin Field: “He’s not trying to be the celebrity QB.”
“This is foul and it’s a shot at Aaron Rodgers. You just had a 4x MVP celebrity QB in the building.” — @89JonesNTAF pic.twitter.com/bdIlxWvdDN
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) June 26, 2025
Alongside LeSean McCoy and Emmanuel Acho on “The Facility,” Jones was not shy in supporting his former quarterback.
“This is foul, and it’s a shot,” Jones said. “The main reason why it’s foul and it’s a shot is because you just had a four-time MVP, celebrity QB superstar. Whether he played well or not, that is what you had in the building, he is not there, so it’s a shot.”
While praising Rodgers, Jones also wants Fields to succeed as well. “I’m rooting for the young fella man, I hope Justin Fields turns into a superstar, I really do,” Jones said.
The eight-year former Green Bay Packers standout compares Glenn’s comments to a hypothetical remark for himself, Acho and McCoy.
“If you [Acho] weren’t on this show this upcoming season and I said, ‘We don’t need nobody up here that write books,’ that’s a shot,” Jones said. “If you [McCoy] weren’t on this show for a year and I said, ‘We don’t need nobody coming up here wearing chains,’ that’s a shot.”
For Jones, he believes Glenn’s focus is in the wrong space.
Aaron Jones All-In on Fifth-Year QB Despite Unsteady Career Thus Far
Fields is on the third team of his NFL career. In 2021, the dual-threat QB was taken 11th overall by the Chicago Bears. Under Fields, the Bears were unable to reach the NFL playoffs in three attempts.
When he landed in Pittsburgh, Fields excelled when given the chance. Before Russell Wilson returned from a calf injury and took over, Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record. This included victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, who later made the 2025 postseason.
Now, with a team looking to find their identity, Fields once again must hit the reset button. With Rodgers gone, Jones believes Glenn should shift his focus to developing Fields properly.
“Aaron ain’t in the building no more man, you [Glenn] should just be worried about your young quarterback developing and playing well,” Jones said. “Because to be honest with you, you have put all your eggs in the Justin Fields basket. If he does not have success, we are pointing right at you and looking right at you.”
Jones tells Glenn that he will have questions to answer if Rodgers thrives in Pittsburgh.
“If Aaron Rodgers has success, the celebrity quarterback that you disrespected and let walk out of there, you are going to have to answer some questions,” Jones said. “I’m rooting for Justin Fields, but I think this is foul because you did not have to say that, all you had to say is, ‘My dog Justin Fields is doing his best to play his best.'”
It appears that the stakes will be higher than simply getting a Week One win when the Jets face off against the Steelers. The action kicks off from MetLife Stadium on September 7 at 1 p.m. Eastern.