The NFL knew Aaron Rodgers was likely to sign with the Steelers when it scheduled the Jets for Week 1. While the league may have not known for absolute certain, it knew enough to put that game out in front. Rodgers and the Jets did not part on harmonious terms, so of course the NFL played into that.
“Shoutout to the NFL for scheduling that opener for them, by the way”, Albert Breer said as an aside during a MMQB segment with Conor Orr about the Steelers with Aaron Rodgers facing the Jets in New York to open the season.