Five things we learned from Steelers 34, Jets 32:

1. Dreaming big

For the first time since the 2015 season, the Steelers put up 34 points in a second opener. For the first time since 2020 when Ben Roethlisberger was in his penultimate season, a quarterback had four touchdown passes in a game.

The Steelers even scored a touchdown on their first possession for the first time since 2023.

Imagine what kind of numbers the Steelers might have accumulated had the offense not gone three-and-out on three occasions and a fourth drive also not resulted in a punt.

“It was a good performance,” wide receiver DK Metcalf said, “but it feels even better when you have something you can work on next week and get better. We do look forward to that. We have some things we could get better at and possibly put 50 on the board.”

It took six weeks last season for the Steelers to crack the 30-point barrier, and they did it three times in 18 games, counting playoffs. The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers paid off at quarterback against the Jets, and the Steelers showed they have more than just Metcalf as a capable pass-catching threat.

Metcalf didn’t catch one of Rodgers’ four touchdown passes, taking a backseat on the score sheet to Ben Skowronek, Jaylen Warren, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III.

Austin, thrust back into the No. 2 role after George Pickens was traded, caught four passes for 70 yards, drew one pass interference flag and could have gotten another call on the winning drive. Skowronek took his only catch 22 yards for a score. Smith took a shovel pass 2 yards into the end zone and had five catches, albeit it for 15 yards. Warren and Kenny Gainwell caught passes out of the backfield.

The game provided a glimpse of how the Steelers’ offense can succeed without a proven No. 2 receiver. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith got multiple players involved, as did Rodgers, who completed passes to seven players.

2. Plenty to Gain(well)

For someone who received a three-year contract in the days leading up to the opener, Warren was conspicuous by his absence for portions of the game. Warren, at times, seemed to take a back seat to Gainwell while rookie third-rounder Kaleb Johnson primarily contributed as a kickoff returner.

It was an unusual distribution of snaps considering the Steelers seemed intent on establishing Warren as the top running back with Gainwell serving as a change-of-pace and third-down specialist. Gainwell, however, often was on the field on second down and had the edge in playing time — 30 snaps to Warren’s 25.

Warren had 13 touches to Gainwell’s 11. Warren had just four in the first half before seeing his role increased in the second.

Coach Mike Tomlin was in no mood to discuss the running back distribution, but it is sure to be a hot-button issue for fantasy owners who selected Warren thinking he would be the lead back for the Steelers.

3. Healthy Highsmith

After missing the preseason with a groin injury, Alex Highsmith showed no signs of being bothered by the nagging injury. With much of the Jets attention rightfully going to stopping T.J. Watt, Highsmith took advantage. He led the Steelers with eight tackles, including five solo stops, and he had the lone sack.

When he dropped Justin Fields for a 6-yard loss, it set up a third-and-10 in the fourth quarter and the Jets trailing by five. It looked like it would be a game-changing play until Fields ran for 9 yards on the next play and scored on a bootleg on fourth down.

Watt, on the other end of the formation, had five tackles, including two for a loss. He also deflected a pass.

With top backup Nick Herbig sitting with a hamstring injury, rookie Jack Sawyer played 15 defensive snaps and led all Steelers special teams players with 23 snaps. Free agent signing Malik Harrison, who injured his knee, played just four snaps on defense, 16 on special teams.

4. Left behind

It was a largely forgettable debut at left tackle for Broderick Jones, who was credited with allowing three of the four sacks against Rodgers.

Jones’ difficulties began immediately as Rodgers was dropped for a 4-yard loss on the first offensive snap. Pro Football Focus, in its subjective grading formula, gave Jones a 46.8 pass blocking grade, the lowest of any Steelers lineman. The only player who graded lower was Smith, a tight end. He received a 36.6 grade.

The start was the second at left tackle for Jones in his career after spending most of his first two seasons at right tackle. He allowed a team-high four pressures. Among NFL tackles who were on the field for at least 20% of all pass plays, Jones ranked No. 50 out of 62 eligibles.

Getting favorable grades were center Zach Frazier (83.9) and left guard Isaac Seumalo (82.2). Troy Fautanu, making his second career start at right tackle, checked in with a 69.1 grade with Mason McCormick getting a 64.7 grade.

5. Inside trading

Patrick Queen picked up where he left off last season by playing all 64 defensive snaps. At the other inside linebacker spot, Payton Wilson played 56 snaps, proving the Steelers are intent on having him be a three-down player. Wilson never logged more than 58% of the snaps in any game of his rookie season.

With Queen never leaving the field and Wilson rarely exiting, it left no room for veteran Cole Holcomb, who played in his first game in 18 months. Holcomb was limited to eight snaps — all on special teams, according to the official stat sheet.

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