Cam Newton opines on whether the Pittsburgh Steelers are legitimate threat in AFC

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers a legitimate threat in the AFC after their Week 1 victory over the New York Jets? Cam Newton believes they’ll have a shot to grow into one over the course of the 2025 season.

While there’s certain areas he’d like to see improvement, Newton answered the question on Monday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take. He’s a believer in Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers have work to do, even after an amazing win over the New York Jets.

“What I’d say about the Pittsburgh Steelers is this: I don’t think the question is Aaron Rodgers. I think it’s about Aaron Rodgers‘ amenities. DK Metcalf—he’s a playoff contender who can really give teams fits. But everybody else? When you’re suffering in the run game — when it comes to deep playoff runs, it comes down to one thing: can you beat man-to-man? Do you have the talent that can beat man-to-man, simple and plain?

“I don’t think the Steelers’ amenities give Rodgers a guy—or guys—who can beat man-to-man. There’s only so much Arthur Smith can give you with schematics, but sooner or later it going to come down to: can you win one-on-one.”

All told, the Steelers have felt like they’re a quarterback away for quite some time, and Rodgers turned back the clock in Week 1. Whether or not he can continue that level of play throughout an entire season remains to be seen, but it was a heck of a start for Pittsburgh in Week 1.

More on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 1

Moreover, Week 1’s victory for the Steelers was a revenge game for Rodgers, who spent the previous two seasons with the Jets. That made Sunday’s win even more sweet for Pittsburgh.

New York hired Aaron Glenn as head coach in January. One of his first moves was to move on from Rodgers after meeting with him. Rodgers was asked after the game if there was significance in beating Glenn.

“I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets,” Rodgers said, via SNY Jets. Rodgers downplayed the significance of this game all week to both the media and his teammates, but he sure played like he had something to prove.

The veteran quarterback completed 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns — to four different receivers. It’s evident Rodgers feels right at home in Pittsburgh, and we’ll see how far he can take them in 2025.

— On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.