First Call: Terry Bradshaw changes his tune on Aaron Rodgers; something to watch with the refs in Steelers-Seahawks

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is singing a different tune about Aaron Rodgers.

The fancy stats seem to like Justin Fields’ performance better than how Rodgers played in the Steelers’ win over New York on Sunday. We know the officiating crew for this week’s Steelers-Seahawks game.

And former Steelers punter Cameron Johnston has a new team.

Terry taking a turn

It sounds like Terry Bradshaw is changing his mind when it comes to the idea of Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers quarterback in 2025.

“I thought he played great,” Bradshaw said on 103.7 the Buzz after the Steelers’ season-opening win in New York. “I thought he moved well. Four touchdown passes, I just hope he keeps playing like that.”

It was on that same station during the offseason when Bradshaw ripped the Steelers for trying to acquire Rodgers during the long lull before they eventually signed him. 

“Looks like it was a good move for Pittsburgh. We’ll see as the season progresses,” Bradshaw continued. “I don’t think Aaron played poorly at all. I never have thought that. You give him time and some weapons, and they could be something special.”

That said, Bradshaw wasn’t thrilled with the Steelers’ defensive effort.

“As good as Aaron was, was as bad as the defense was. I was shocked by that. Jalen Ramsey comes over at corner, I thought they would play much better,” Bradshaw added.

While Ramsey wasn’t the biggest problem, indeed, the Steelers’ defense needs to get better — particularly against the run. The Steelers allowed 182 yards on the ground.

Fields is doing fine

Despite a passer rating of 136.7, four touchdowns and no interceptions, Rodgers got a surprisingly low grade from Pro Football Focus this week.

The folks at PFF dinged Rodgers for having two turnover-worthy plays in his game against the Jets. They gave him a 56.2 overall grade for his Week 1 performance. That grade ranked 24th among quarterbacks in the NFL, which is absurd given the results of the game.

The analytical numbers seem to have played out better for New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields.

For the stats nerds:

Justin Fields led all passers in Week 1 in EPA/dropback, per @NextGenStats.

He was 10th in Total QBR (79.4), the 7th-highest mark in a game in his career. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 9, 2025

At PFF, Fields earned an 82.2 grade after going 16 of 22 for 218 yards and a touchdown. Plus, he posted 48 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. Fields’ grade ranked ninth among QBs across the league in Week 1.

That seems a lot more representative of how Fields played than how the numbers illustrated Rodgers’ performance.

Via NewYorkJets.com, not surprisingly, Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams led New York’s roster with a 92.0 PFF grade in Week 1. He recorded four tackles, including a sack. His 93.0 run defense grade was the highest among interior defenders across the league.

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Johnston’s journey

After losing out on the punting derby with Corliss Waitman in Pittsburgh, Cameron Johnston has a new job in Buffalo.

The Bills signed him to replace the recently released Brad Robbins. He was inconsistent in his Buffalo debut, averaging 39.5 yards on four punts in the 41-40 victory over the Ravens.

After a three-year stint in Houston, Johnston signed with the Steelers prior to last season. He appeared in just one game for Pittsburgh last year, as he was injured in the opener down in Atlanta.

After rehabbing an injured leg, Johnston was in a preseason duel with Waitman, who was his replacement in 2024.

The 33-year-old Johnston broke into the NFL with Philadelphia in 2018, where he spent three seasons.

See yinz Sunday!

We know the officiating crew for the Steelers game on Sunday. According to Football Zebras, it’s going to be led by referee Scott Novak.

Referee for Seahawks at Steelers — Scott Novak
https://t.co/gWZXZCZeFV #SEAvsPIT pic.twitter.com/5nK8P2YrkU

— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs???????? (@footballzebras) September 9, 2025

That crew also features a former NFL player, Mike Morton, as an umpire. He was a linebacker with the Raiders, Rams, Colts and Packers from 1995 to 2001.

Offensive linemen better be on alert. Via NFLpenalties.com, Novak’s crew last year threw 40 offensive holding penalties and 41 false starts, by far the two most frequent infractions on their ledger from 2024.

Novak’s crew was flag-happy in Week 1, dropping 22 total penalties in the Saints-Cardinals game. New Orleans got busted 13 times. Arizona was pinched on nine occasions.