The Steelers never look past the next game. Sunday’s visit to Chicago won’t be an exception.
Which is why Aaron Rodgers will play quarterback even though he probably shouldn’t.
Rodgers has a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) wrist. Shotgun snaps might be difficult to handle. Snaps under center will be jarring. Rodgers will be vulnerable when he’s taken to the turf.
It’s an important game. It’s not a division foe or a conference game. But the Steelers can’t keep backsliding. They need consistency of play and to stack some victories.
Rodgers’ injury situation begs two questions:
Would the Steelers have a better chance of winning being quarterbacked by Mason Rudolph at 100%, or by Rodgers at whatever percent he might be?
Looking past the game at Chicago, would the Steelers benefit by Rodgers sitting, healing and letting his 41-year-old body and mind take a break from the rigors of the NFL?
Rodgers looked weary in the Steelers’ last two games, downright awful in the Nov. 9 loss at Los Angeles, and appears to be quickly dumping off the ball when under pressure by way of avoiding hits.
But the Steelers never look past the next game.
So Rodgers will play if his wrist remotely permits. Rodgers will influence the decision most.
All that is to Rodgers’ credit.
He’s got heart. He battles for the team. He’s also 24-5 lifetime against the Bears with 64 touchdowns against 10 interceptions and a passer rating of 109. Rodgers smells blood.
But none of that means him playing is the right decision.
Or the wrong decision.
This is legit debatable, though most football types tend to err on the side of blood and guts, not caution.
Rodgers will play.
His bum wrist puts him at additional risk. What if he gets spit on and has to punch somebody?
The Steelers could afford to be minus Rodgers for the odd game. But not an extended period.
Rudolph outplayed Rodgers in this past Sunday’s home win over Cincinnati, however slightly.
Rudolph, right now, is better in the pocket than Rodgers. Less antsy. Stands taller. Plays bigger.
The drop from Rodgers to Rudolph isn’t that great.
Rudolph’s tools might be sharper. Rodgers’ pre-snap decision-making and guile are far superior.
Starting Rodgers is hardly controversial.
But if Rodgers starts and struggles, keep an eye on why he struggles and don’t be afraid to go to Rudolph.
Which won’t happen.
Tomlin benched Rudolph for undrafted small-college quarterback Duck Hodges in 2019. When Rudolph won the last three regular-season games in 2023 to steer the Steelers into the playoffs, his reward was being let go.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said that Rudolph played better than Rodgers against Cincinnati: “I actually thought the offense looked better once Mason Rudolph went in. The one thing that stood out was the willingness and the ability to throw the ball downfield.
“I don’t think you’re sitting there completely worried that Rudolph potentially has to play because your offense looked better than it did with (Rodgers).”
So who should start, Rodgers or Rudolph?
Will Howard, of course. What a stupid question.
