Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fractured his left wrist in Week 11 but will not need surgery and is pushing to play against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin said Rodgers must manage pain and demonstrate functionality to suit up. If Rodgers cannot play, Mason Rudolph is set to start.
Aaron Rodgers underwent tests on Monday following the Pittsburgh Steelers' 34-12 Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, confirming a fracture in his left wrist but no need for surgery. The veteran quarterback attempted to return during that game and has expressed his desire to play in the upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin outlined the challenges ahead, stating, "It's about stabilizing it, it's about making sure that he can manage the pain. That doesn't appear to be an issue, having been around him. And then functionality, and so those are the variables." Tomlin added that Rodgers will need to show he can perform at an appropriate level despite the injury.
Rodgers has a history of playing through significant injuries, including a torn left Achilles tendon in 2023 and a broken right thumb in 2022. His motivation may be heightened by the opponent, as he holds a 25-5 record against the Bears, including playoffs, during his time with the Green Bay Packers. In 2021, after scoring a rushing touchdown in Chicago, Rodgers famously yelled "I own you!" to Bears fans.
The Steelers, now 6-3, face a Bears team on a seven-game win streak in their last eight after starting 0-2. Chicago's offense, under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, features quarterback Caleb Williams, running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, and wide receiver Rome Odunze. Odunze commented on the team's Super Bowl aspirations: "That's what we're striving for. We're looking to go and do that this season, and we're looking to go do that the season after this. We've just got to put things together and put ourselves in a position to do so, and that starts with the daily work."
Pittsburgh is 1-6 in Chicago since 1960, with their last win a 37-34 overtime victory in 1995 led by Neil O'Donnell. If Rodgers sits, Mason Rudolph would make his first start in nearly two years. In relief last Sunday, Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown. Tomlin praised him, saying, "He's proven over his time here that he's capable of coming in and playing winning football for us, and that's no small task."
Bettors have the Bears as 3-point favorites in Week 12 odds.