Steelers' Mike Tomlin Reveals Exactly Why Aaron Rodgers Never Returned After Halftime In Week 11

The Pittsburgh Steelers got their revenge against the Cincinnati Bengals when the two teams met for their second matchup of the 2025 regular season. They won 34-12 in a runaway contest that was full of drama. Just like in the first matchup, current Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was efficient with keeping the football protected, posting 116 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game due to a wrist injury that would ultimately keep him on the sidelines for the rest of the game.

The decision to keep Rodgers out the rest of the contest is something that was asked about by members of the media, with these questions being directed at Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin in his weekly address. Tomlin was asked about the events that transpired during the game, but when directly asked about why Rodgers didn't come back after halftime, he gave a direct answer as to why no one saw the veteran QB return to the field.

"As I mentioned, they were trying to assess the extent of his injury," Tomlin said. "And that takes time. Certainly, they want to stabilize it before they allow him to participate, even if he's willing. So I imagine that those are the variables that played into him not returning to the sideline, and as I mentioned with the way the game unfolded, we only had two possessions in the second half, offensively, anyway."

Tomlin's remarks shed some light on why Rodgers didn't come back into the game, and adds some much needed reasoning as to why he didn't return as well. By the time the Steelers got possession of the ball in the second half, they only had one additional possession until the end of the game. With how Rodgers' injury looked, it made no sense bringing him back into the game, a game which the Steelers had well in hand by the time the Steelers gained possession for the second time in the second half. 

Thankfully, the injury Rodgers suffered against the Bengals was not an injury that would require surgery, with the injury occurring to his left wrist -- which is not his throwing wrist. Nonetheless, it was serious enough to keep him out for the rest of the game, and serious enough to put his status for the next few games up in the air. 

Even with the optimistic answer Tomlin gave on why Rodgers didn't return to the game, his status is something to consider moving forward. As much as Rodgers would surely want to play against the Chicago Bears, a team that he has consistently won against throughout his storied career, the Steelers can't afford to rush him back into the starting lineup with how critical the matchups on the schedule become as the playoffs draw nearer. Teams around the league do not believe Mason Rudolph has what it takes to be a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL, and having to move forward with him in the lineup will change how teams approach their game plans when they face the Steelers.

However, Rudolph might be wanting to prove to the league that he's got what it takes to be a starter in the league, starting with the upcoming game against the Bears.

Steelers Need To Give Mason Rudolph Confidence Prior To Potentially Starting

The Steelers could potentially see Rudolph start in the upcoming game against the Bears, and could potentially be in line to start more games than just against the Bears if Rodgers' injury proves to be worse than predicted. To that end, the Steelers need to ensure Rudolph is confident in himself and his ability by not limiting him within the playbook. If the Steelers can maintain a consistent level on offense with Rudolph at the helm, the team should be just fine with Rudolph as long as he's needed.

What did you think about Tomlin's answer for why Rodgers didn't return to the game against the Bengals? Let us know in the comments or on X at @SteelersSwamp7.

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