Steelers' Mike Tomlin: Aaron Rodgers expected to return next Sunday to face Buffalo Bills

CHICAGO — Aaron Rodgers’ run of 27 consecutive starts dating to the 2024 season ended when he was inactive Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

His absence apparently will last just one game.

“I anticipate him being ready for next week,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “It was a prudent decision to make.”

The Steelers, who dropped to 6-5 with the loss, play the 7-4 Buffalo Bills next weekend at Acrisure Stadium.

Mason Rudolph got his first start of the season after Tomlin decided Saturday that he wouldn’t risk playing Rodgers, who was a limited practice participant Thursday and Friday after fracturing his left (non-throwing wrist) in the first half last Sunday against Cincinnati.

Tomlin didn’t make the move official until about two hours before kickoff against the Bears. In a pregame interview with CBS, Tomlin said the Steelers did not feel confident in Rodgers’ ability to play with a brace on his injured left wrist. Rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard served as Rudolph’s backup. Rodgers was one of five players on the inactives list, and he wasn’t even designated as the emergency No. 3 quarterback.

“Certainly, it was not a fluid week for him,” Tomlin said, referring to Rodgers. “It was a fluid week for Mason in terms of reps. I think it will be in our rearview as we move forward.”

Rodgers, 41, had not missed a game since an Achilles injury cost him all but a few snaps of the 2023 season. He started all 17 games last season for the New York Jets and the first 10 this year with the Steelers.

Rodgers watched the game from the sideline dressed in black warmup gear. The team’s offensive captain, he did not take part in the pregame coin toss.

“He was supportive of me and supportive of the offense,” Rudolph said.

For Rudolph, the start was the 19th of his eight-year NFL career, seven of which he has spent with the Steelers. He has a lifetime 9-9-1 record as a starter.

Rudolph completed 24 of 31 attempts for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Bears. He also lost a fumble that led to a touchdown. He didn’t get much advice from Rodgers, who has a 24-5 lifetime record against the Bears and won 11 of his previous 12 trips to Soldier Field.

“He knows this isn’t my first time doing this,” Rudolph said. “He wasn’t talking my ear off. He provided support and a set of veteran, awesome eyes from the sideline.”

Rodgers was not available for interviews.