Could this finally be the last time the Chicago Bears have to deal with Aaron Rodgers?
This could be the last hurrah for Rodgers, who is on a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The four-time MVP quarterback turns 42 years old on Dec. 2.
Sunday’s matchup between the Bears and the Steelers at Soldier Field could be one final chapter in a rivalry that has spanned 15 seasons from when Rodgers became the starter in Green Bay in 2008 through his final season with the Packers in 2022. He is 24-5 all-time in his starts against the Bears — and 1-0 in the postseason.
He might be in a different uniform and there might be a few more shades of gray in his beard, but you can bet Bears fans want to beat Rodgers.
The Bears (7-3) will take on the Steelers (6-4) on Sunday at Soldier Field (noon, CBS-2). Here are five things to watch ahead of Week 12 – plus the Tribune’s predictions for the game.
1. Caleb Williams vs. one of his idols.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets up after being sacked during the first half against the Bengals on Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has never been shy about who he modeled his game after as a kid, particularly when it comes to making throws on the run.
“Watching Aaron Rodgers – I know he’s a Green Bay guy – watching Aaron Rodgers and all his times these past 19, 20 years, he can do unbelievable things,” Williams said after his second NFL preseason game in August 2024. “Right. Left. Running straight. All these other things. Just practicing it over time. Perfecting it.”
Bears fans can forgive Williams, a rookie then, for not knowing that he’s not supposed to say nice things about the Packers.
Rodgers, 41, has always been one of the first quarterbacks Williams, 24, mentions when asked about his idols growing up. The arm strength and the mobility from Rodgers’ younger years was something Williams admired.
Now, Williams will find himself squaring off against Rodgers this weekend. Or, at least, that’s the hope. Rodgers has a fractured left wrist (his non-throwing hand), which puts his status in doubt.
Williams has said he always wants to play against the best, so he’s hoping Rodgers will play. Rodgers isn’t necessarily the same player he was 10 years ago, but it could still be a cool moment for Williams.
“There are probably a couple quarterbacks in the world that have been able to spin the ball the way that he does,” Williams said. “Growing up as a kid, when you find and realize how hard it is to play this position, you admire some of the things he’s been able to do over this long career he’s had.”
Rodgers was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. He wore a brace on his left wrist. The Steelers will release their final injury report with Rodgers’ game status on Friday.
2. Player in the spotlight
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt enters the field before a game against the Bengals on Nov. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt
If the Steelers are going to make life hard on Williams and the Bears offense, the Pittsburgh defensive line will likely play a big part in that.
Three Steelers edge rushers have more than five sacks: Nick Herbig (6 ½ sacks), T.J. Watt (6 sacks) and Alex Highsmith (5 ½ sacks). The Steelers also have seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cameron Heyward working on the inside.
This should be yet another tough test for the Bears offensive line. Bears coach Ben Johnson said what makes the Steelers so lethal is their quick first step off the edge.
“They got some werewolves on the outside,” Johnson said. “Between (Highsmith) and (Watt), I mean some of the best first steps I think you’ll see in this league.”
That speed puts an extra emphasis this week on Williams not dropping too deep on passing plays. Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle explained that when the QB drops deeper, it becomes more challenging for the offensive tackles, who have their backs turned to the quarterback.
“They’re always trying to put themselves between the rusher and the ball, and so the deeper you get, the harder that becomes on those tackles,” Doyle said.
Left tackle Theo Benedet and right tackle Darnell Wright will have their hands full on Sunday.
The Bears have faced Watt just once since he entered the league in 2017. In a 2021 matchup on “Monday Night Football” in Pittsburgh, Watt totaled three sacks against Justin Fields and the Bears. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Watt is as dangerous as they come off the edge. He primarily lines up on the left side of the defensive formation, squaring off with the offense’s right tackle.
3. Can the Bears keep the turnovers coming?
Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson celebrates after recovering a fumble in the first quarter against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 28, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said if he grabs an interception from Rodgers this weekend, it’s going to the top of his trophy case.
One thing that might thwart that plan, though, is Rodgers’ health. With a veteran like Rodgers – who has played in 258 NFL games – it’s easy to assume that an injury to his non-throwing hand is unimportant. But Rodgers’ status remains very much in doubt. If he doesn’t play Sunday, the Bears could see backup Mason Rudolph.
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“Really it doesn’t matter who throws the ball,” Stevenson said. “The best thing I can do is put myself in position to go catch it when I see it.”
The Bears have been doing a lot of that lately. They had another two interceptions last week against the Vikings. They lead the NFL with 22 total takeaways and with a plus-16 turnover margin.
Safety Kevin Byard currently leads all NFL players with five interceptions.
“I just think it’s the (opportunities),” Byard said. “Honestly, even last year I feel like I dropped two. I felt like I should have had multi-interceptions last year as well. Just getting the (opportunities) and taking advantage of those. … It’s been a very fun year. It’s fun to do it while we’re winning.”
Those takeaways are a big reason why the Bears are winning games right now. Statistically, the Bears defense ranks 27th in yards allowed per game. A lot of times this year it feels boom or bust based on whether the defense has a turnover or not.
Rudolph, if he plays, has thrown 20 interceptions in 32 career appearances (including 18 starts). If Rodgers does play, it’s another story. He historically takes care of the football better than any quarterback in history — and his 1.4% interception rate is tied for the best ever (with journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett).
“I want to play against him,” Byard said. “You want to play against the best quarterback, especially him.”
4. Keep an eye on …
Steelers’ Darnell Washington stiff arms the Bengals’ Barrett Carter during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Steelers’ 300-pound tight end.
Well, allegedly 300 pounds.
Darnell Washington officially is listed at 264 pounds, but that number isn’t fooling anybody. Washington went viral last week when he brutally stiff-armed a Bengals defender and head-butted another on the same play. The size difference between Washington and the Bengals defenders in that viral clip was comical, like Shaquille O’Neal playing pickup basketball with middle schoolers.
After much speculation, Washington revealed on a podcast this week that his actual weight is 311 pounds – which legitimately makes him heavier than some offensive linemen in the NFL. The Steelers are using that to their advantage because Washington can still move at that size. He has been much more involved in the Steelers offense lately, with nine catches over the last three weeks.
Stevenson, the Bears cornerback, played with Washington when both were at Georgia in 2020. Stevenson said Washington has always been a freak athlete.
“It was shocking at Georgia when he was doing it,” Stevenson said of Washington’s athleticism. “To see that he’s honed in on it and now he’s hurdling people, it’s crazy. Definitely excited to go against him.”
As for how you tackle a behemoth like Washington?
“You gotta want to,” Stevenson said.
There’s no strategy against a monster like that, other than holding on for dear life.
5. Injury updates.
Bears linebacker Noah Sewell tackles Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson in the first quarter on Sept. 21, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Both teams will release their final injury reports after practice Friday.
Rodgers is the biggest name to watch. He was limited with the left wrist injury Thursday after sitting out practice a day earlier on Wednesday.
For the Bears, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds (groin), T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) and Noah Sewell (elbow) have yet to practice this week.
Offensive tackles Theo Benedet (quad) and Darnell Wright (pectoral/back) have been limited by injuries in practice, as has center Drew Dalman (knee) and corner Tyrique Stevenson (hip/calf).
Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon (calf) and Jaylon Johnson (groin) returned to practice but will need to be activated off injured reserve if they’re going to play. Johnson was a full participant on Thursday, while Gordon was limited. When Gordon and Johnson return, the Bears might have too many starting-caliber cornerbacks on the roster – but that’s a good problem to have.
Week 12 predictions
Brad Biggs (7-3)
Ben Johnson has alluded to the kind of identity he’s been working to shape with his football team since arriving. He wants to be known for a physical brand of ball across all three phases. This clash with the Steelers promises to be a pretty good measuring stick for how rough and tumble the Bears are. They’ve been on a roll when it comes to winning games in dramatic fashion late in the fourth quarter. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has found ways to succeed with key parts missing every week. If it’s going to be a real tussle decided in the trenches, the Bears rate the edge because they’ve been able to run the ball with terrific success since the bye week.
Bears 27, Steelers 20
Sean Hammond (8-2)
The Bears keep finding ways to win, and I think they will again. Aaron Rodgers or no Aaron Rodgers, the Bears are capable of winning this game. They handled a formidable Giants defensive front two weeks ago and face another good one in the Steelers. Pittsburgh is allowing a league-worst 261.7 passing yards per game. The Bears are still going to lean on their run game, but don’t be surprised if Caleb Williams puts together a decent performance on Sunday.
Bears 20, Steelers 17
Phil Thompson (7-3)
Injuries on both sides make this a really tough call. Of course, Aaron Rodgers teased his return by practicing Thursday despite a left wrist injury. The Rodgers factor weighs heavily into whether he’ll still “own the Bears” – just in black and gold instead of green and gold. If it’s Mason Rudolph behind center (who was once behind Mitch Trubisky on the depth chart), that feels a little less daunting. But if Rodgers is just slightly impaired, this sad script writes itself.
Steelers 24, Bears 23
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/chicago-bears-pittsburgh-steelers-predictions/
