The Chicago Bears are up against the Pittsburgh Steelers for Week 12. The Bears sit on top of the NFC North with a 7-3 record. The Steelers are also first in their division, but with a 6-4 record, with a Baltimore Ravens squad one win away from catching up.
While the Bears wrestle with their own bad injury news, they could be in store for more. Depending on how things shake out on Sunday morning, the Bears could be up against Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph.
Aaron Rodgers Out, Mason Rudolph In
Rodgers suffered a fracture in his left wrist last week. Because of this, his playing status for Sunday, November 23rd, has been up in the air. Now, it has been confirmed that Rodgers will not play, and Rudolph will start.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Rodgers will sit out Sunday’s game, according to Adam Schefter.
Before the announcement, Dan Graziano reported a few details about Rodgers’ appearance.
“Aaron Rodgers arrived at Solider Field about 20 minutes ago,” Graziano wrote on social media on November 23, 2025. “Walked one lap around the field, flipped off a couple of the cameras that were filming, and went back inside. Used his right hand to flip the bird, so unclear if he could do it with his left.”
Aaron Rodgers Injury Timeline
Initially, the decision on whether he would play was to be made right before game time, according to a few sources.
“Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, who has been pushing to play all week despite a fracture in his left wrist,” Rapoport wrote on social media late November 22, 2025. “Is hoping to take the decision up to game time. Doctors have been cautious, but Rodgers wants to go and believes he can protect himself.”
Adam Schefter has also provided a similar update on his social media.
“Aaron Rodgers has been pushing to play Sunday vs. the Bears, but Steelers doctors have been more cautious and guarded, per sources,” Schefter wrote on November 22nd. “If the decision is left to Rodgers, he will play, but the team has declined to provide hints as to its final decision.”
If Rodgers Plays, It Doesn’t Bode Well For the Bears
Regardless of whether Rodgers plays or not, this is a must-win game for the Bears to keep their storybook season going. However, the veteran QB has had the Bears’ number over his career.
Rodgers has played the Bears 29 times as a starter and has won 24 of those games.
According to The Sporting News, Rodgers has 64 passing touchdowns against the Bears in his career. That is the fourth-most TDs against a single opponent in history, for a quarterback.
He has completed 67.3 percent of his passes. In addition to those 64 passing TDs, Rodgers has thrown for 6965 total yards. Additionally, he has made 80 rushing attempts for 313 yards and two rushing TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Rodgers has suffered 10 interceptions at the hands of the Bears. He has also been sacked 57 times, averaging 1.97 sacks per game.
This year, Rodgers has completed 192 of his 289 passing attempts. The veteran QB has thrown 1969 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The numbers make it clear that playing the Bears brings out the best in Rodgers. No matter what his status is for Week 12, the Bears are going to treat it like every other matchup and play their game.
Bears Are Struggling Through Their Own Injuries
No matter what happens with Rodgers, the Bears are facing their own injury troubles ahead of their Week 12 matchup. Chicago will be without its three top linebackers against Pittsburgh.
In a Heavy report from earlier this week, it was revealed that the Bears would be without Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Swell. This prompted the team to place Edmunds on injured reserve and sign linebacker Carl Jones Jr. from the practice squad.
The Bears’ Week 12 game against the Steelers will be broadcast at 1 PM EST on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
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