The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a disheartening loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears. And if there was a time for Mike Tomlin and company to snap their thirty-year drought without a playoff win in Chicago, it was this year.
The Bears were without all three starting linebackers, and during the game, Ben Johnson's team suffered a slew of injuries. On top of this, T.J. Watt forced a strip-sack on quarterback Caleb Williams that was recovered in the endzone for a touchdown.
But all the unwarranted advantages weren't enough for the Steelers to rise up and seal a victory on the road.
Aaron Rodgers wasn't able to suit up against the Bears due to his fractured wrist, but many fans thought Mason Rudolph would actually give this team a boost. The offense has been stagnant as it lacked any explosive-play ability. Sadly, this wasn't the case.
The Steelers botched one opportunity after the next to muster up the game-winning score. By the end of the contest, Rudolph finished the game with just 171 passing yards on 31 attempts (5.5 yards per attempt). Meanwhile, Caleb Williams recorded 239 passing yards on 35 attempts (6.8 yards per attempt) with three passing touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that still has no identity after Week 12, and fans have lost all hope
It wasn't just one thing that went wrong for the Steelers in Week 12; it was a collection of everything—the offense falling short when it mattered most, the defense's inability to get a stop when they weren't taking the football away, and cowardly play-calling and coaching decisions.
Fans know the truth: this team does not have the look or feel of a playoff team... and they're giving up all hope.
After the game, Steelers fans and media members took to social media to voice their frustration with this team that can't escape football purgatory. Here are some of the reactions from the fanbase after the game:
Steelers feel like a team destined to spend several more years in NFL purgatory.
— Chris Mueller (@ChrisMuellerPGH) November 23, 2025
Steelers might have the lowest IQ team in the league. Coaches and players combined
— Adam Steel (@RenegadeAdam) November 23, 2025
This is a poorly coached #Steeler team. It just is. From a bizarre offensive strategy that ignored the Bears multiple players out to key mistakes to the punt decision. This team is handcuffed every week from being it's best self by bad coaching and sloppy play (which is also in…
— Steelers Takeaways 🌗 (@PittsburghSport) November 23, 2025
JJ Watt calling out the Steelers offensive philosophy of never throwing the ball over the middle of field was spot on. And I applaud him for criticizing Tomlin with his brother on the team.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 23, 2025
what a horrific loss. Bears had their JV defense on field today, missing half their players. Steelers defense was awful, too. Saved on last Bears series only because RB slipped. Brutal, brutal loss
— Joe Starkey (@JoeStarkey1) November 23, 2025
What an absolute and complete disaster. The Steelers had absolutely NO clue what to do after a garbage short slant throw on third down. Team is a disgrace.
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) November 23, 2025
Can you blame them? We're approaching the final stretch of the 2025 season, and the Pittsburgh Steelers still haven't found an area of their game they can call 'good.' Despite having the league's most expensive defense, this unit continues to underperform.
Meanwhile, the offense can't move the ball consistently, and Arthur Smith refuses to use the middle of the field (which could stem from Mike Tomlin's conservative game plan). It's not just poor coaching; it's a lack of execution... and fans have had enough.
READ MORE: 4 winners (and 3 losers) from Steelers' heartbreaking loss to the Bears
Through the first 12 weeks of the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers sit on a 6-5 record after a promising 4-1 start to the year. The Baltimore Ravens have officially leapfrogged Pittsburgh in the AFC North standings, and with the schedule on the horizon, the Steelers might not regain the division lead again this season.
The most recent collapse proves once again that the Pittsburgh Steelers are unthreatening, and that's not what any fan wanted to see again this year.