Bears safety Jaquan Brisker spent part of the spring training with Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers focused in on Brisker’s team — the one with whom he used to be sworn rivals — and on the franchise he once claimed he owned when they worked out at Proactive Sports Performance in California.
‘‘He always talks about the Bears,’’ Brisker said after the victory Sunday against the Vikings. ‘‘When we were training, he had our name in his mouth.’’
Brisker, who loves trash talk, said it’s ‘‘all love’’ between him and Rodgers, even if the smack talk ‘‘left a bad taste’’ in his mouth.
‘‘Hopefully he targets me,’’ Brisker said.
Amazingly, Rodgers has a chance to do that Sunday.
Two days after Rodgers suffered a broken his left wrist against the Bengals, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left the door wide-open for him to play Sunday at Soldier Field. Tomlin said Tuesday that Rodgers, who didn’t require surgery, already had begun lobbying to face the Bears.
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.
Rodgers doesn’t need to practice much to play. Among the factors the Steelers will monitor is whether they can brace his wrist in a way that allows him to play, whether he is able to protect himself if he were he to fall and how much pain he feels. Pain tolerance generally ‘‘isn’t an issue with Aaron,’’ Tomlin said.
‘‘Functionality is a major component of whether he gets an opportunity this week,’’ Tomlin said.
Rodgers, who was 25-5 against the Bears as a member of the Packers, has had the game circled. When he was still a free agent in March, he was asked by a Bears fan whether he ever would consider playing for them. He said no but indicated he might join ‘‘a team that might play in Chicago this year.’’
Rodgers, who will turn 42 next month, has been serviceable with the Steelers. He ranks 12th in the NFL with a 97.7 passer rating and fifth with 19 touchdown passes. He averages only 196.9 passing yards per game, however, which ranks 28th.
Coincidentally the Bears had to monitor injuries to two other AFC North quarterbacks already this season. The Ravens eventually ruled out Lamar Jackson and the Bengals started Joe Flacco.
No one has Rodgers’ history against the Bears, but Tomlin dismissed the notion that playing them was motivating Rodgers.
‘‘Aaron always wants to play,’’ Tomlin said. ‘‘Opponent has nothing to do with it.’’
