The Pittsburgh Steelers have not had much success against the Chicago Bears, especially in Chicago. But quarterback Aaron Rodgers certainly has.
Rodgers is 24-5 in his career versus the Bears. Of his 522 passing touchdowns, 64 of them have come against the Bears. He’s also thrown just 10 interceptions in those 29 contests.
That success is likely to be enough for anybody to really want to face an opponent again. But Rodgers told reporters this week he isn’t extra motivated to return from injury or play well in Week 12 just because Pittsburgh’s game is in Chicago.
“There’s incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers told the media Tuesday. “It’s a great sports town, with phenomenal sports fans and great place to play.”
Rodgers is trying to recover from a fractured wrist in his non-throwing hand in time to face the Bears. The veteran quarterback sustained the injury late in the first half on November 16 and didn’t return.
Rodgers didn’t practice Wednesday but participated in limited fashion Thursday.
Aaron Rodgers Makes Peace Offering to Chicago
The former Green Bay Packers quarterback was public enemy No. 1 in Chicago for a long time. To put in perspective Rodgers’s record versus the Bears in a Steelers context, the signal caller’s success against Chicago rivals what Ben Roethlisberger did against the Cleveland Browns.
Roethlisberger went 26-2-1 in the regular season against the Browns. “Big Ben” had 43 touchdowns and 23 interceptions versus Cleveland as well.
But Rodgers made clear he doesn’t want to be hated in Chicago, which he called one of the top sports towns in the United States.
“I’d rather not be,” Rodgers said on being a villain in Chicago. “I’m not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones.
“Maybe, I can, I guess [laughing].”
Assuming Rodgers plays through his wrist injury, the Steelers could use the quarterback’s Chicago magic. The Steelers are 1-12 all time in Chicago. Their lone win at the Windy City came in overtime during a 1995 contest.
In their last trip to Soldier Field, the Steelers lost 23-17 in overtime during 2017. The Steelers finished 13-3 that season while the Bears were 5-11.
Bears Fans Not Likely to Accept Rodgers’s Offering
There’s a slim chance Chicago is going to be willing to accept Rodgers’s offering to let “bygones be bygones.”
More than likely, there’s too much bitterness in the very passionate Bears fan base. They also aren’t going to forget the constant heartbreak Rodgers delivered while with Green Bay after he again reminded them of his success following his peace offering.
“When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time series lead [with the Packers],” Rodgers said. “When I left, the Packers did. Since J [Jordan] Love has taken over, it’s even gotten better.
“I hope those fans can put that behind them. I’m sure they can’t. Don’t expect them to, but I really enjoy the city.
“They got great sports, man.”
Rodgers tried to endear himself to Chicago, telling reporters Tuesday that he grew up watching the Cubs on WGN. He also said he loves Michael Jordan.
Still, Bears fans aren’t going to forget moments like Rodgers telling the fans at Soldier Field, “I still own you.” The quarterback delivered the taunt after scoring a touchdown in Chicago during the 2021 season.
Rodgers went 17 of 23 with 195 passing yards, two touchdowns and a rushing score in that contest.
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