The potential adversary at quarterback known well to Bears fans on Sunday is, of course, Aaron Rodgers.
However, it remains possible until announced otherwise that they'll face Pittsburgh backup Mason Rudolph instead.
The challenge is obviously less severe considering Rodgers' experience and ability to make alterations at the line based on defenses. Still, Rudolph can't be dismissed as just another inexperienced backup—especially considering the current health state of the Bears defense.
"He’s a bigger, strong-armed quarterback," defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said of Rudolph. "I think he pushes the ball down the field pretty consistently.
Steelers secretly want to see what Mason Rudolph the gunslinger can do against this Bears secondary instead of rolling out an injured Aaron Rodgers https://t.co/oEldgw0aN0
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 23, 2025
"So we’re going to have to make sure we keep a roof on the coverage and stay on top of everything in particular, with him in the game."
The Steelers liked him enough to bring him back after he went to Tennessee one season in free agency.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Rudolph was impressive as a rookie with a record of 5-3 starting in 2019 as a third-round pick out of Oklahoma State. He has toiled as a backup throughout his career, with his team going 9-8-1 when he starts, including 3-0 for the Steelers in 2023.
Bears defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson - both questionable for Sunday vs. Pittsburgh - won’t be activated this week, per sources.
But the team is hopeful that both could come off IR for next week against Philly if all goes well.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 22, 2025
Some of his wins have been impressive, like in 2023 when he led the Seahawks to three straight wins, including victories over the Ravens and Seahawks. He also started against the Lions and Ben Johnson when Pittsburgh got blown out 52-14 and 30-14 by Buffalo in consecutive 2023 games.
Rudolph's career passer rating of 85.5 is about what solid backups have, and he averages 6.8 yards per attempt. It's a decent average for someone who doesn't play regularly.
I understand it was Mason Rudolph's first sizable game action of the year, but he still struggled with readily finding open receivers
Here, the #Steelers backup misses the quick hitter to Metcalf, plus Gainwell on a quick out — and hangs in the pocket for far too long pic.twitter.com/TXa9gAXxhE
— Bradley Locker (@Bradley_Locker) November 18, 2025
The Steelers brought him back not as a potential starter for the future like they might have considered him earlier. He is to them what Mitchell Trubisky has become for Buffalo, or even what Tyson Bagent is to Ben Johnson and the Bears.
Coach Mike Tomlin sees him as a player who handled pressure well in the past.
This 7 yard run by Mason Rudolph on 3rd and 6 in the 2nd QTR reminded me of Big Ben. Mason Rudolph didn't slide, he put his head down and earned this 1st down the hard way. pic.twitter.com/YtdLjbOFP5
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) December 24, 2023
"I don’t think anybody has been surprised by his ability to deliver under those circumstances,” Tomlin told Steelers reporters this week. "He plays with a great level of confidence. He’s organic, he’s so real. He relishes those opportunities. We’re happy for him and excited for him."
What Rudolph has problems with is occasional wildness. It's why he's thrown 20 interceptions to 29 touchdown passes. He also has a 17.8% poor throw percentage.
Mason Rudolph gets the boys going more than Aaron Rodgers. I said what I said pic.twitter.com/TmA1xXE7AX
— South Side DK™️ (@SouthSideDK) November 16, 2025
While that might seem high, it's almost 4% lower than Caleb Williams' bad throw percentage.
The bottom line with Rudolph is his experience probably makes him less susceptible to big mistakes while facing Allen's scheming than a young backup would be, but the depleted state of the Bears' linebackers and secondary can only increase his ability to inflict damage.
Now, the Bears only need to know if it's Rudolph or the guy who says he owns them.
Aaron Rodgers on Mason Rudolph: "He's a troll. He makes every day so much fun. I told him, 'Just thanks for making this fun,' -- every day he's got a checklist of the jokes he's got to get off out of his brain."
Rudolph: "That's pretty harsh coming from a troll himself." pic.twitter.com/HINcpQImWA
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 19, 2025
X: BearsOnSI