NOVEMBER 23: Rodgers will not play against Chicago in Week 12, per Rapoport and NFL Network colleague Tom Pelissero. The duo expected Pittsburgh’s QB1 to suit up againt Buffalo in Week 13.
NOVEMBER 22: Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday and is listed as questionable on the official injury report for Sunday’s game against the Bears. He has been dealing with a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist.
Rodgers said on Wednesday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that his priority is “safety” rather than pain management, suggesting that he is more concerned about sustaining additional damage to his wrist than he is about playing through discomfort. That said, Rodgers has been pushing to play, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reports team doctors are taking a more cautious approach. The 41-year-old passer was seen wearing protective gear on his left wrist during practice this week, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says Rodgers believes he can adequately protect himself in a game situation.
When asked about a more specific timeline for making a decision, Rodgers deferred to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Mason Rudolph will start on Sunday if Rodgers cannot go. The six-year veteran had two brief relief appearances earlier this season and an extended showing in Week 11 after Rodgers’ injury. Rudolph played well to close out a win over the Bengals, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, though that did come against the worst defense in the NFL.
The Bears have a bottom-10 defense and rank 30th with 6.2 yards per play allowed, but they lead the league with 22 takeaways. That sets up a somewhat simple challenge for Rudolph: take care of the football. In Chicago’s seven wins, they have forced 20 turnovers; in their three losses, they have forced just one.
If Rodgers does not play on Sunday, he seems trending towards a return in Week 13 against the Bills in a matchup that could have significant implications for AFC playoff seedings.
At the outset, I don’t think Rudolph is a better QB than Rodgers and understand the Steelers got the old guy to not only get them into the playoffs but perhaps win a game, as well. So to me, playing Rodgers in this game is a recipe for disaster. Let the guy heal and get ready for whatever stretch run this team has ahead
I like Rudolph. Given the way Rodgers has played recently, there’s not too much of a drop off with him and he stands in there and isn’t afraid to take a hit as he looks to throw downfield
I dunno. If Rodgers goes down, they essentially torpedoed their reason for signing him with the Bills, Ravens twice and Lions still to come
Pretty much agreed. I think that if there’s any question of Rodgers making the injury worse by playing, don’t play him. Rudolph can win them a game or two, but Rodgers is still who they will need.
I will say that I appreciate Aaron’s attitude and approach towards this injury. He’s being very team-centric for a guy who has gained the reputation of being self-absorbed. He’s not trying to put himself on the field if he’s not the best or safest option to win.
With or without Rodgers, this team isn’t going anywhere. Well past time for a makeover esp aging and overpriced D, and HC.
Mike Tomlin isn’t exactly an “aging head coach at just 53.
I don’t understand why so many Steeler fans want to get rid of a guy who’s never had a losing season. A bunch of teams would hire that man in a second if he was available.
I don’t think they will ever fire tomlin. And I guarantee he has a no trade clause. To me he will finish out his current contract which would put him at 20 years and then retire. He then turns to TV.
Everything the Steelers have done hasn’t been about winning a SB as much as it is about keeping the streak alive. The loyal Rooney way
Look, he’s not a bad coach. Not like what I saw Narduzzi do last night in trying to hand G-Tech a comeback win. (4th and 9, late in game. You’re up 14 and in your own territory as time is running down??? You go with a fake punt?)
But he’s an average coach who’s extremely stubborn. There’s little doubt his greatest successes here came thanks to guys Cowher and Colbert already had in place. Since they’ve retired and moved on, we’ve been treated to an average team, season after season
Sorry, I don’t see the guy as a great coach. I don’t see him as a great game manager or strategist. But yeah, as long as he has a winning season, national media will glorify him
The offense has his blessing. The defense is very much under his direction. And most pointedly, personnel matters go through him
Not a good team. Haven’t been for years and won’t be anytime soon
His record is remarkable. I think it’s convenient and may be incorrect to blame him for personnel decisions. They have a solid team. They just haven’t had a great QB for years. Don’t let Khan off the hook.
Please note I was a “Tomlin Believer” for many years. Then reality set in. You make the comment “remarkable” with regards to his record. On the contrary, he’s has average teams, nothing more. This is especially true about the teams he’s had since the Cowher era players have retired.
I watch game in and game out. Please, tell me what is great about this coach. His loquaciousness? It can’t be his ability to prepare teams for games. It can’t be his ability to strategize a game plan. It can’t be his in game decisions.
There is nothing remarkable about the guy
And while Kahn deserves some portion of blame for personnel decisions, everything goes through Tomlin.
This is not a solid team in any shape or form. It’s an aging team that has many holes and perhaps the worst offensive coordinator in the league
I mean I hear ya. Maybe he has a bigger hand in picking the talent than is healthy. Just seems from the outside looking in, he gets a lot out of the teams he has. They are always competitive. But uou watch all the games so you would have a broader perspective.
I’ve been around since the Noll era. I get that most coaches garner a reputation on the accomplishments of their players. Belichick could be called an example of that. So can Tomlin. Easily one of the most overrated, overhyped coaches I’ve ever seen. And as if anyone needed proof of any gripe, this season has been a microcosm
There’s no doubt he’s been given the keys to the kingdom here where all matters are concerned. Coaches who are inept. Personnel that is either aging and overpaid, or draft picks who lack the talent.
Your “competitive” note should take into account the last five games of 2024, when they played big time teams that manhandled them. To watch them quit—as two commentators made note of—sure demonstrated Tomlin’s ability to inspire
At his age it’s a risk to his safety every time he drops back
Rodgers will be hiding under his bed while watching the Bears/Steelers game because aside from some scary dust bunnies…it’s pretty safe there 🙂
The bears defense is… not good. I don’t blame Rodgers for wanting to beat them one last time.
Bears could lose legit their last seven games. Oh man that would be hilarious.
You cheeseheads should worry more about staying ahead of the Lions than concerning yourself with what the Bears might do 🙂
Bears have already exceeded expectations this year and are expected n the right track. That Love contract looks reall good right about now huh?’
Ex
Still can’t give it up for what the Bears have accomplished this season? How very weak and very Packer fan of you. And if you think Lafleur or any other coach they’ll be facing is overlooking them the way you are? You’re delusional. Cut back on the dairy. It’s clouding your judgement.
No. I still don’t think the Bears are good. They’ve beaten no one good and have SEVEN one score wins. They’re lucky, have played poor competition and mediocre.
Luckily for the rest of the league, the Bears are going to get a chance to prove everyone outside of Chicago wrong. Starting with a reeling Eagles team this week.
I still think they go 1-5 down the stretch.
Well, the fact that you search for every negative angle you can judge from, really deflates the credibility of your opinion. And “luckily”? Really? Ha! They’ll play the games like everybody else will. They beat your team on the road at the end of the season with a way worse team than they have now. Remember? It was right before you bowed out of the playoffs again?
lol against backups. Love played one quarter. Jacob’s two snaps. Kraft like five. Stop it. You’re embaearrassing yourself.
Do I think the bears are good? No. Do I think they suck? Also. No. They’re mid and have been the luckiest team in the nfc since the 2022 Vikings.
They will come back to earth and miss the playoffs. Only 55% chance now. At 8-3. Let that sink in. That’s what Vegas thinks of your team.
For good reason. They’re fake good.
I think 55% is pretty damn good considering preseason odds. I’m totally letting that sink in and I love it. Hey, I’ve never tried to blow them up into a playoff contender. I’ve only said they’re much better than the team they were last season. Even without three starting LBs and two starting CBs. And they will continue to improve. And lucky? Now you’re embarrassing yourself. A couple of games they have been. So have the Packers even if you won’t admit it. You’re mistaking luck with the fact that they’re winning games they would’ve lost last year. The Bears are learning how to win and you can’t deal.
You should be happy that they’re doing well. I would be if I were a Bears fan too. But I also would recognize when they weren’t as good as their record. MIN in 22 and GB in 19 come to mind. Both immediately lost in the playoffs. And I think there’s a real case to make that the Bears won’t even get there.
As far as this year? No. The Packers were very lucky against AZ. They were very unlucky against CLE, PHI, and CAR. They’ve had poor luck in one score games.
So Yes. The Bears have been ;ucky. One possession games are coin flips. You are 7-1 in them. I would not say anything if you were 5-3 or 3-5.
They are better than last year, I’ll give them that. I wouldn’t call them bad. (Although the D is not good). But good? No.
Well good is a relative term. And yes, they will most definitely be tested from now thru the rest of the season. I have no illusions about them keeping up this pace, but I would not be surprised to see them beat your boys in Chicago and the Lions as well in the last game at home. I think they may be better than you’re giving them credit for, but only time will tell.
If you win the division. You’ll have earned it. The qb and coach you have are going to be good. And I hate saying that. But I can’t c deny it. Less sure about the gm. That’s my hope lol
If they win the division, I’ll be shocked! I think Dennis Allen has been the unsung hero. I have no idea how that defense without 7 day one starters can compete. Granted it’s an average D at best, but the turnovers have saved them… I appreciate you giving it up for Johnson and Williams. The team is buying in. And I’m in complete agreement on Poles… As a fan for many many years, I just wanna see them competitive again. Here’s to getting that great Packers/Bears rivalry going again after way too long!
Mike Tomlin just told Evan Washburn of CBS that Rodgers is out. Mason Rudolph gets the start in Chicago.