Steelers Have Slight Problem To Work Around If Aaron Rodgers Starts Against The Bears

It is very well known that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has owned the Chicago Bears throughout his legendary Hall of Fame career. During his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, the signal-caller performed extremely well when competing against the NFC North franchise. He most certainly had it circled on his calendar for when he would face off against them in Week 12 of the 2025 campaign, but things have now changed after he suffered a slight break in his left wrist in the Steelers' Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. His status is still up in the air as the team prepares.

For starters, it's a very fortunate development that Rodgers' right wrist is not broken. If that was the case, he would likely not be able to grip, or throw a football. It would have been a real possibility for his season to come to an end. The team is going to take it easy with the veteran, but he is an incredibly competitive individual, and will want to play against the Bears in what could be his last ever contest versus the franchise.

Chicago will have to game plan for both Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, which immediately gives the Steelers a slight advantage, but there is one small issue with that. As noted by former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, this is an extremely painful injury that Rodgers would be playing through. Taking snaps from Zach Frazier directly under center could lead to unbearable pain. That is exactly why Rodgers playing, at this juncture, could be far from ideal.

Pittsburgh has thrived with an extra lineman on the field, as well as multiple tight ends. This has occurred when Rodgers had been both under center and in the shotgun. With a broken wrist, it would shock no one, the Bears included, if the majority of the Steelers' offensive snaps were out of the shotgun. That could lead to a level of predictability that makes it an easier challenge for what has been a rather inconsistent Bears defense.

Even if Rodgers has had success and performed well out of the shotgun, when an opposing defense senses a trend and understands that play-action passing and running the ball under center may be more difficult, it is easier for that unit to thrive. If the veteran quarterback does give it a go, it will be fascinating to see how many direct snaps he will be able to take without injuring his wrist further or experiencing too much pain.

Rodgers should be expected to say that the pain may not be an issue for him, but Hasselbeck's recent comments combined with common sense will tell the average fan that taking direct snaps under center is far from comfortable with a broken wrist. There are probably certain methods that the team's medical personnel has ready to relieve some pain for Rodgers, but the injury could without a doubt lead to the unit being a little more predictable.

Taking a snap in the shotgun carries far less risk as far as pain goes; however, it will also be crucial for the Steelers' offensive line to keep Rodgers upright if he were to play against Chicago. The Bears are only averaging roughly two sacks per contest, so it could be an opportunity for the big men up front in Pittsburgh to make a statement.

Steelers Are Likely To Let Rodgers Play If No Further Damage Can Occur

While Rodgers may be in his final professional season, he will be needed for the end-of-year stretch. Pittsburgh could be inclined to deny the veteran's wishes of playing in Chicago, especially if worsening the injury this soon after suffering it is on the table. Predictability will immediately give the team a disadvantage against the Bears, unless the quarterback is experiencing far less pain than imagined.

Do you think that the Steelers' offense will be too predictable if Rodgers plays with a broken wrist? Let us know in the comments below!

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