The Week 12 storyline in Chicago isn’t subtle. It starts and ends with Aaron Rodgers and whether Pittsburgh’s medical staff will green-light the 41-year-old to face a Bears team trying to stack its eighth win in nine games. Rodgers is battling a fractured left wrist, practiced with a brace, and is officially questionable heading into Sunday. The team has kept things quiet, but the pressure surrounding this call continues to grow as kickoff approaches.
In the latest X post, Adam Schefter revealed that, “ Aaron Rodgers has been pushing to play Sunday vs. the Bears, but Steelers doctors have been more cautious and guarded, per sources. If the decision is left to Rodgers, he will play, but the team has declined to provide hints as to its final decision .”
Aaron Rodgers has been pushing to play Sunday vs. the Bears, but Steelers doctors have been more cautious and guarded, per sources. If the decision is left to Rodgers, he will play, but the team has declined to provide hints as to its final decision. pic.twitter.com/0pTHeKZZo7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 23, 2025
Steelers Weigh Aaron Rodgers’ Push to Play Against Real Medical Risks
Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers, NFL
Nov 9, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The conversation inside Pittsburgh’s building has shifted from optimism to caution over the last 48 hours. Rodgers broke his left wrist late in last week’s win over Cincinnati, and even though surgery isn’t needed, the genuine hurdle is whether he can protect himself. Coaches saw him manage snaps and one-handed ball control with the brace in limited work, but the medical staff still holds final say. That’s where the hesitation sits.
Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin kept everything tight when he spoke on Friday. He said Rodgers gave a solid effort in practice, yet the decision still depends on medical clearance and whether a 41-year-old quarterback can handle live hits with a compromised wrist. Tomlin’s message stayed consistent. The player wants to go. The doctors are slower. The weekend will decide the rest.
Then comes the history. Rodgers is 24-5 all-time against Chicago and an incredible 11-1 at Soldier Field. That dominance adds another layer to Sunday’s stakes, especially for a Steelers team trying to steal its second-ever win inside that stadium. His availability alone shifts the matchup and the mentality around it.
And this Bears team brings its own complications. Chicago leads the NFL with 21 takeaways, turning every mistake into a field-position swing. Even with Rodgers questionable, the Steelers know this defense thrives on sudden-change moments, and that’s precisely the kind of environment he usually controls. Pittsburgh also understands Chicago will be missing all three starting linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell, which puts a massive spotlight on matchups the Steelers can exploit, especially with their trio of tight ends. Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington have size advantages across the board, and Chicago’s replacement, led by Ruben Hyppolite II and D’Marco Jaco, will be tested immediately.
Chicago’s secondary brings its own storyline. Nahshon Wright is tied for second in the league with four interceptions, and he’ll see a ton of work whether it’s Rodgers or Mason Rudolph under center. The Bears also expect Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Luther Burden III, and Cole Kmet to stress Pittsburgh’s secondary, setting up matchups against Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and Kyle Dugger, one of the most competitive chessboards on the Week 12 slate. And on offense, Chicago’s biggest significant challenge remains handling T.J. Watt, who will move across the front in an effort to find cracks. Darnell Wright has allowed just one sack this season, but this is a test the Bears can’t afford to lose.
However, Pittsburgh has a real fallback. Mason Rudolph is unbeaten in his last three starts and looked sharp after stepping in against Cincinnati. He went 12 for 16 for 127 yards and a touchdown in relief, keeping the offense steady when Rodgers went down. Tomlin knows he has a capable option if the doctors say no.
Even with that safety net, the Steelers understand what Rodgers means in a game like this. Chicago’s defense is dealing with multiple injuries, but Rodgers’ presence naturally boosted their confidence.