Nothing ever stops in the NFL. Even after an impressive 34–12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers barely had a moment to celebrate before turning the page. That’s life in this league: enjoy the highs while you can, because the next challenge shows up before the confetti settles.
This week, that challenge comes in the form of the Chicago Bears—and the status of Aaron Rodgers has become the storyline looming over everything.
In the middle of game-planning, reviewing film, and adjusting schemes, Tomlin and the Steelers' medical staff have something heavier to juggle: determining whether their All-Pro quarterback can suit up with a fractured left wrist. It’s a question fans desperately want an answer to, but Tomlin has been careful with his messaging.
Not dismissive. Not definitive. Just… cryptic enough to keep everyone guessing.
“It’s just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety,” Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday. “I certainly would imagine we will get some clarity as we push through the week.”
Clarity, though, continues to feel like a luxury Steelers fans haven’t been granted.
Nobody wants to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play without Aaron Rodgers in Week 12
Let’s be honest—no one wants Rodgers to sit out. He’s been the heartbeat of Arthur Smith’s offense, the on-field mastermind orchestrating drives and elevating everyone around him. His 19 touchdown passes (tied 5th) have blown past expectations, and his ability to spread the ball has made Pittsburgh far more competitive than many predicted.
Add in his career record of 24–5 against the Chicago Bears, and it’s no wonder Steelers Nation views him as the ultimate key to victory this week. Without Rodgers, the task becomes tougher. Not impossible, but undeniably different.
If Rodgers can’t go, Pittsburgh will once again look to a familiar face: Mason Rudolph.
To be fair, Rudolph stepped in admirably in Week 11, playing efficiently and steering the offense without panic. For a backup quarterback in a pressure-filled moment, that’s all a team can ask for. But it would be dishonest to suggest his presence equates to having an All-Pro under center. There’s a reason Rodgers is who he is, and why the entire city is holding its breath for good news.
READ MORE: Steelers might be pushed into harsh reality after Aaron Rodgers’ injury update
The truth is, the jury is still very much out on who will be QB1 for this must-win Week 12 matchup. Tomlin isn’t tipping his hand, and perhaps he truly doesn’t know yet. But he did offer one subtle hint—one that feels both reassuring and nerve-wracking.
“It’s his body, so he is going to be a component of the discussion,” Tomlin said.
It’s a powerful statement, and an honest one. Rodgers has already shown every sign of wanting to grit through the pain. That competitive fire has defined his career. But the question now is whether that fire matches the medical reality of a fractured wrist—whether desire alone can overcome the physical demands of a Sunday afternoon in the NFL.
For now, Steelers fans wait. And hope. Because a season that feels promising, fragile, and exhilarating all at once may hinge on one man’s ability to brace up and battle through.