When Aaron Rodgers decided to sign with the Steelers this offseason, he pointed to playing at Soldier Field as a perk of his new job.
He still has a chance to do that.
Rodgers broke his left wrist Sunday against the Bengals and does not need surgery, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told Pittsburgh reporters on Tuesday. Rodgers has lobbied the coach personally to play against the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Rodgers won’t practice Wednesday — backup Mason Rudolph will get the starter’s snaps — but Tomlin said Friday will be an important day for him as the Steelers determine whether he’ll play.
The Steelers will focus on whether they can brace the wrist and make it as comfortable as possible for Rodgers. He’ll need to be able to brace himself if he falls.
“Functionality is a major component of whether he gets an opportunity this week,” he said.
Tomlin wasn’t worried about Rodgers’ pain tolerance.
“That doesn’t seem to be an issue with Aaron,” Tomlin said.
The coach was asked Tuesday if playing the rival Bears was motivating Rodgers.
“Aaron always wants to play,” Tomlin said. “Opponent has nothing to do with it.”
Rodgers, who is 25-5 against the Bears in his career, famously taunted Bears fans by saying he owns the team. He was asked by a Bears fan in March — when he was free agent whether he’d ever consider playing for them. He said no but said “I believe there’s a team that might play in Chicago this year on a road trip.” That turned out to be the Steelers.
The former Packers star, who turns 42 next month, has been serviceable this season. He rans 12th in the NFL with a 97.7 passer rating and fifth with 19 touchdowns. He averages only 196.9 passing yards per game, though, which ranks 28th.
The 6-4 Steelers lead the AFC North.
Bears coach Ben Johnson said Monday that they’ll monitor the Steelers’ injury situation. Amazingly, they’ve had to deal with the same issue with their other two AFC North opponents this season — the Ravens eventually ruled out Lamar Jackson and the Bengals started Joe Flacco.
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