The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting next couple of weeks ahead of them as the organization navigates an injury to starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time league MVP is said to have suffered a slight fracture in a bone in his left wrist, which is luckily his non-dominant wrist. This happened near the end of the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and the quarterback did not leave the locker room after going in as normal for halftime. Rodgers has not been ruled out for Pittsburgh's Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears, and he might not miss any time at all.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Throughout the second half of the game against the Bengals, it was made clear that Rodgers had some sort of hand or wrist injury. It was reported later that night that it was "feared" Rodgers may have a slight fracture in his wrist, which is exactly what wound up being the case. Rodgers is typically a very secretive individual, and it is fair to assume that he might not have liked the way that information got out and just how quickly it got out. NFL insider Adam Schefter spoke about this on Unsportsmanlike on Tuesday, and he believes Pittsburgh is now tightening things up.
"I think what happened, me reading between the lines is, they kind of tightened the circle," Schefter said of the Steelers. "Obviously, Aaron Rogers is a private kind of guy and he probably didn't like initially that even this got out."
Pittsburgh is usually pretty secretive as well as an organization, but the injury news got out quick, and Schefter believes that will force the organization to tighten things up moving forward. It is important to keep a player like Rodgers happy, and it is also crucial that he feels comfortable within the organization. As an extremely private individual, he needs to be able to trust those around him, and his injury news getting out so quickly does not help that case.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph in the locker room before a Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots during the 2025 season.
A player's injury news getting out isn't the end of the world. It was going to happen at some point whether Rodgers wanted it to or not. The NFL has rules and protocols in place that force teams to be transparent about injuries to all players. However, this is the second time in roughly two weeks that things have made it to the media involving Rodgers. The injury news was broken quick, and Rodgers was also in tabloids after another player's wife spoke to the media about Rodgers' marriage -- which is something he has been adamant about keeping private.
Keeping Rodgers happy is crucial to this team having success, which is why Schefter is insinuating that the organization would be tightening things up moving forward. The Steelers are entering a crucial time in the season as the team has some difficult matchups coming up, and all distractions need to be limited as the franchise tries to hang onto the lead in the AFC North.
Steelers Still Not Certain Who The Starting Quarterback Will Be In Week 12
Rodgers has not been ruled out for Pittsburgh's game against Chicago, and there is a chance he could start. It will all depend on how his pain feels throughout the week, and whether or not he can grip the football / take snaps from the center. Mason Rudolph played well in the second half on Sunday in relief of Rodgers, so the coaching staff should feel comfortable in starting Rudolph if that is something that has to happen.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers QBs Aaron Rodgers (left) and Mason Rudolph (right) at 2025 mandatory minicamp in June 2025.
Rudolph playing well also takes pressure off of Rodgers rushing his own return, even though he certainly wants to be out on the field in Chicago.
What do you think about the Steelers tightening things up moving forward? Let us know in the comments below!
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