Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made headlines before even taking the field against the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Despite battling a fractured left wrist sustained in last week's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Rodgers travelled with the team to Soldier Field.
Rodgers' Gesture Sparks Debate
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Rodgers arrived at the stadium roughly 20 minutes before warmups and proceeded to take a lap around the field. In an unexpected move, he reportedly flipped off a couple of cameras filming him and then directed the same gesture towards the stands before heading back into the tunnel. This incident immediately ignited social media, with fans offering a range of reactions, from amusement to outrage.
- "Absolutely goated. Arod owns the city, fanbase, and team of Chicago lmao," one fan exclaimed.
- "Rodgers treating Soldier Field like it’s his personal backyard again," another added.
- "As a Bears fan, I love it – I wouldn’t want Rodgers any other way," said a more tolerant fan.
Injury Keeps Rodgers Out
However, the drama surrounding Rodgers' gesture was overshadowed by the official announcement that he would be inactive for the game due to his wrist injury. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the news, stating that it was the prudent decision for the team. Veteran backup Mason Rudolph will start in Rodgers' place, with rookie Will Howard serving as his backup.
Rodgers' absence prevents him from adding to his already impressive record against the Bears. During his time with the Green Bay Packers, he dominated Chicago, holding a 24-5 regular season record and a 25-5 record overall, including a win in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. He has won his last eight straight games against the Bears.
Rodgers is currently 79 passing yards away from reaching 65,000 career passing yards, a milestone he will have to postpone for at least another week. This season, he has completed 192 of 289 passes for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The Steelers (6-4) will now rely on Mason Rudolph to lead the team against a Bears team looking to continue their winning streak.