Steelers Sit Rodgers, Starters in Preseason Opener vs Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to open their 2025 preseason at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Jaguars head coach Liam Coen planning to play all his players to gain valuable game experience due to new offensive and defensive schemes. In contrast, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that quarterback Aaron Rodgers, along with several key starters such as DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, T.J. Watt, and Cam Heyward, will sit out the preseason opener to preserve their readiness given their experience and stage in their careers. Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh in June, expressed openness to playing in preseason games but Tomlin prefers a cautious approach, noting an upswing in the offense's performance and no urgency to rush the NFL's oldest player into action. Rookie Steelers quarterback Will Howard is sidelined with a hand injury, and backup Logan Woodside may see playing time alongside Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. Coen emphasized the importance of live tackling and physicality in the preseason game for evaluating team fundamentals and situational football. The Steelers' decision to rest many starters while the Jaguars play theirs highlights differing preseason strategies ahead of the regular season.