Jets end historic interception drought in preseason loss to Steelers
New York’s defence, which went the entire 2025 season without a pick, recorded two interceptions against Pittsburgh’s Will Howard in Friday’s exhibition match.
The New York Jets have broken a historic defensive streak, recording their first two interceptions of the 2025 season in a preseason exhibition against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. The team, which finished the previous campaign without a single pick, is the first in NFL history to achieve this feat since the league began tracking the statistic in 1933.
The turnovers were thrown by Pittsburgh quarterback Will Howard, who started the game in the absence of 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. Howard, a second-year player selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, is competing for the backup quarterback role behind Rodgers.
Despite the defensive milestone for New York, the result was a loss for the Jets. Howard completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards but did not lead a scoring drive during the first half. The interceptions proved costly for the Steelers, who were unable to convert their remaining possessions into points.
The performance offers an early indicator for the Jets’ defence under head coach Aaron Glenn. Glenn, a former Jets cornerback with 41 career interceptions, is in his first season leading the team. The ability to generate takeaways was a notable absence in the previous year’s regular season.
While preseason statistics are often viewed with caution, the shift in defensive production marks a significant change from the previous campaign. The Jets will look to build on this momentum as they continue their preparation for the upcoming regular season.
The Steelers, meanwhile, will evaluate Howard’s performance as he continues his competition for the backup position. With the regular season approaching, both teams will seek to refine their strategies and solidify their rosters.
