Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers wasn’t going to go the entire 2025 season without throwing an interception. But his first pick as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers came at a less than inopportune time.
After a 65-yard screen pass to running back Jaylen Warren, the Steelers were in position to retake the lead from the Seahawks, who had just scored a touchdown to tie the game at 14 in the third quarter. But on third-and-goal from the 4-yard line, Seahawks cornerback Deion Kendrick intercepted Rodgers along the sideline in the end zone.
Kendrick’s pick came with two Steelers pass-catchers in the area. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III was unable to catch the pass and deflected it to Kendrick, who made the interception.
After the game, Rodgers explained to reporters he was targeting tight end Pat Freiermuth. The quarterback added Austin shouldn’t have been in the area of the pass.
“Cal’s [Austin] the best kid ever, but he probably should have just stayed in the flat there. He knows it,” Rodgers said. “He was kind of stealing it from [Freiermuth] or catching it to put it away and score a touchdown.
“Cal’s the best kid, and it sucks because he’s such a great kid. But unfortunately, that whole sequence took points off the board.”
The Steelers scored just a field goal after that turnover. The Seahawks outscored the Steelers 17-3 in the fourth quarter.
Seattle spoiled Pittsburgh’s home opener with a 31-17 victory Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers Was Visibly Upset After Interception
Rodgers admitting during his postgame press conference that Austin made a mistake on the interception wasn’t too much of a revelation. The veteran quarterback appeared angry after throwing the interception and motioned toward Austin that appeared to be saying he should have ran his route differently.
Analysis of the play from Fox Sports’ Mark Sanchez during the game’s broadcast placed as much blame on Austin as Rodgers for the turnover.
There’s no guarantee that Freiermuth would have caught the pass. The tight end was falling to the ground behind Austin when the receiver deflected the ball. It would have been a difficult catch for Freiermuth.
But he potentially could have secured the pass for a touchdown. At the very least, the Steelers were probably going to kick a field goal on the 4-yard line on fourth down.
That would have given the team back the lead in the third quarter.
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