It sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn’t want to miss one last chance to inflict some misery on the Chicago Bears.
Rodgers left the Steelers’ Week 11 game with a left wrist injury. X-rays showed the four-time MVP suffered a fracture in the non-throwing wrist, and he didn’t return, a game Pittsburgh cruised to an easy win over Cincinnati.
Early reports indicated that while Rodgers was going to try to make a quick return, the most likely scenario was that he’d miss at least a game. However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Nov. 17 that Rodgers wants to play in Week 12 against the Bears, and it’s a “50-50” proposition he’s under center for Pittsburgh.
According to Rapoport, Rodgers will have tests to determine the severity of the injury before a decision is made.
“He’s going to have tests (Monday) morning just to determine how long he’s going to miss with his injured wrist — if he’s going to miss time,” Rapoport said on “Good Morning Football” on Nov. 17. ” … to my understanding, (he) has told people close to him that he’ll be back very soon. He has told more people close to him that he does not want to miss a game.”
Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury Might Not Keep Him Out of Bears Game
Just because Rodgers doesn’t want to miss a game doesn’t mean he won’t be out there in Week 12 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Ultimately, the doctors might keep him out of the game, especially considering the Steelers will need him for actual divisional games as they make their playoff push.
That being said, it could also come down to a pain management issue, in which case Rodgers might be able to make it work, if there’s no major risk of making the injury worse.
“If he’s able to grip, if he’s able to receive the ball on the snap, it is actually possible Rodgers could play this week,” Rapoport added. “I had someone told me he’s essentially 50-50 to play this week. So it sounds bad, but Aaron Rodgers does want to play and is trying to see how he can do it for the Steelers.”
Aaron Rodgers Likely Motivated to Play vs. Bears
Rodgers would likely be motivated regardless of the opponent, but knowing he’ll have a chance to tangle with the first-place Bears one more time in his Hall of Fame career is quite the carrot. The former Packers quarterback has a 24-5 career record against his former NFC North rival.
And even after Rodgers’ historic Packers run came to an end with his trade to the Jets in 2023, he not-so-quietly rooted against his rival from afar.
“(The Packers games are) the Super Bowl for the Bears just about every because they haven’t been to the playoffs for so long,” Rodgers said on Pat McAfee’s show in 2024, per CBS Sports. “We’ve won, (Packers head coach) Matt (LaFleur) has never lost to them, so nine in a row.”
(The Packers lost to the Bears in Week 18 last season, but the point largely remains.)
Rodgers added: “Is it a rivalry anymore? If they can’t beat us, is it a rivalry? Every coach that gets hired in Chicago, his first goal is to beat Green Bay.”
So, yeah. If there’s any chance Rodgers can be on the field for the Steelers in Chicago on Sunday, it’s probably going to happen.
Aaron Rodgers Wrist Injury: Insider Drops Hopeful Update on Steelers QB