Although Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers are no longer members of the Seattle Seahawks or Green Bay Packers, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many 12’s who didn’t have at least a scintilla of interest in Sunday Night Football this week. In any other scenario, the concept of a Seahawks fan wishing even a modicum of success for Pittsburgh would be anathema. Further compounded by how there have been those enjoying Wilson’s struggles away from Seattle over the past couple of seasons.
Yet, neither of those two things seemed to matter on Sunday night. What was on the field was two quarterbacks who were supremely important to Seahawks fans everywhere for over a decade. On one side we had Russell Wilson, the greatest quarterback the franchise has ever had or possibly ever will have. On the other, his arch rival, Aaron Rodgers, one of the most loathsome adversaries Seattle fans have ever had the displeasure of rooting against.
For a brief moment, maybe the only time it will happen, 12’s put aside their disdain for Pittsburgh and rooted for their former quarterback to vanquish his old foe for perhaps the last meeting between these two. It’s not unreasonable to think it will be the last. Rodgers is 40, and will be 41 come December. He is coming off an Achilles injury, has played mostly awful football this year, and constantly hints at retirement. As for Wilson, soon to be 36, his recent struggles have been well documented. It is unknown what the future may hold for him, as he is under contract for only this season in the Steel City.
If this truly was the final meeting between two of the best quarterbacks of their eras in their prime, then Wilson got the last laugh. The rivalry between these two will end perfectly balanced, as both have a 5-5 record against one another… including 1-1 in the playoffs. Wilson evened the score on Sunday night by obliterating the Jets to the tune of 37-15.
New York was leading 15-6 well into the second quarter, but a Rodgers interception fueled the Steelers comeback. After that, it was all Pittsburgh. Wilson led the Steelers on five-consecutive scoring drives, finishing the game with 264 yards passing and two touchdowns, as well as one rushing touchdown. It was a vintage Wilson performance, and a truly historic one in the context of the Pittsburgh organization. Given how long and how successful the Steelers have been, for Wilson to make his mark so quickly is nothing short of a remarkable accomplishment.
Russell Wilson is the first QB to lead the Steelers to 30+ points in his starting debut with the team since QB starts were first tracked in 1950 (via @ESPNStatsInfo)
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 21, 2024
As for his surly counterpart in white and green on the other sideline, it was yet another forgettable performance from Rodgers this year. Rodgers threw for 276 yards on 39 attempts, with one touchdown but two interceptions, as the Jets were shutout in the second half. New York has now fallen to 2-5 on the year, and their playoff hopes fade a little further with each passing week.
Speaking of fading with each passing week, hard feelings are one of them. While we can all agree the divorce between Wilson and the Seahawks was messy, time heals all wounds. I’m sure there are still 12’s who are a little salty, but it is important to remember how much joy Wilson brought to the Emerald City. His legacy with the Seahawks include bringing the franchise to heights they’d never been to before.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s entirely possible Seattle will never have a quarterback as good as he was. The Colts are still looking for someone as good as Andrew Luck. Aside from a few years with Peyton Manning, the Broncos are still looking for their next Elway. The Dolphins keep searching for their next Marino. The Browns are… just looking for anyone, really.
For a decade, the Seahawks had theirs, and we bore witness to it. For one more night, we got to enjoy a throwback look at Wilson, leading his team to one more blowout win over Aaron Rodgers. I know I am not alone when I say that brought a smile to my face.
Appreciate the special moments in life football brings, my friends.
