If Rodgers can’t go, Mason Rudolph would be next in line to handle the starting lineup. The veteran backup replaced Rodgers after halftime and turned in a commendable, professional performance against the Bengals, completing 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while leading Pittsburgh’s offense through the late stages of what turned out to be a surprise win last week.
This week, Rudolph may have to prepare to go home to a red-hot Bears team that has won seven of its last eight games but doesn’t have a single victory against a team with a margin of victory. The 6-4 Steelers aim to make that a reality after Week 12, even if they can’t play Rodgers.
Chicago also holds a personal connection for Rodgers: He spent years facing (and beating) the Bears during his tenure as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, who famously told fans he owned them during one of his last victories in Chicago as a Packer.
“It’s motivation for any opponent, but I’ve enjoyed a lot of Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays in that city,” Rodgers said. “It’s a great sports town, great sports fans and a great place to play.”
That response contained a bit of the newfound poise that has become commonplace for Rodgers in what is expected to be his final NFL season. Instead of igniting a rivalry with a fan base he has said goodbye to, Rodgers took the high road Wednesday, perhaps hoping Bears fans would take it easy on him Sunday at Soldier Field.
“I’d rather not be,” Rodgers said when asked if he thrived on being the villain in Chicago. “I mean, I’m not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Maybe I can, I guess.
“It’s a great rivalry. In the history of all sports, you talk about the Lakers and the Celtics, and the Red Sox and the Yankees, you have to talk about the Packers and the Bears. There’s been good memories there. When I first came to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time lead in the streak. When I left, the Packers’ fans have gotten better since J. can put it behind them, I’m sure they can.
Rodgers’ final statement said it all: He knows Chicago’s rabid fans will be cranked up to 11 when Rodgers comes to town with his new team in what Bears fans will see as a litmus test for their up-and-coming group. Sure, the Bears are 7-3, but beating the Steelers would give them the sense of legitimacy they crave.
Taking Rodgers down along the way would make him even sweeter. We’ll see if he can match up and try to destroy their dreams one more Sunday.