Steelers Preparing for Aaron Rodgers to Miss Extended Time?

While the initial prognosis on Aaron Rodgers' left wrist injury has been rather promising, the Pittsburgh Steelers still seem to be looking into their options just in case he remains sidelined for an extended period of time.

According to the NFL's transaction log, the Steelers hosted quarterbacks Jason Bean and Tanner Mordecai for workouts while Rodgers' status for the team's Week 12 bout with the Chicago Bears is hanging in the balance.

Bean played parts of six collegiate seasons at North Texas (2018 - 2020) and Kansas (2021 - 2023), throwing for 5,969 yards, 55 touchdowns and 26 interceptions over that span. He spent all of last season on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad as a rookie before being let go at final roster cuts by the team this past August.

Mordecai, meanwhile, played at Oklahoma (2018 - 2020), SMU (2021 - 2022) and Wisconsin (2023). He threw for 9,857 yards and 85 yards over those six years before spending the 2024 campaign on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad and being waived/injured by them in August.

How Bean and Mordecai Could Factor Into Steelers' Plans

At the moment, Pittsburgh doesn't have a signal caller on its practice squad. Logan Woodside had previously been with the team in that capacity, but he was let go on October 21.

With Rodgers nursuing his injury, the Steelers don't have another fully healthy reserve option behind center outside of Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard.

Rudolph would be in line to start vs. Chicago after playing the entire second half of the Steelers' Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. As for Howard, he was just activated from the reserve/injured list last week and has yet to appear in either a preseason or regular season contest after suffering a hand injury on a center exchange during training camp in early August.

Both Bean and Mordecai could come in and provide depth at quarterback for the Steelers as they navigate Rodgers' ailment.

Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Are Steelers Preparing for an Extended Absence?

Though Rodgers' injury won't require surgery, head coach Mike Tomlin stated that his status for this weekend's game against the Bears will depend on his perceived effectiveness as well as how well his wrist can be secured.

"Really, it's just about bracing it and securing it for his comfort and safety, and then it's about how functional he is," Tomlin said during his weekly press conference, per Steelers.com's Jim Wexell. "We don't have the answers to that as we stand here today, but certainly I would imagine we're going to get some clarity as we push through the week."

Rodgers isn't expected to practice to begin the week, though not much will be known about his true readiness until his game designation is revealed on the final injury report of the week.

The Steelers have no real reason to push their luck with the 41-year-old quarterback, especially considering Rudolph's prior experience in the league with both them and the Tennessee Titans.

It's possible that Rodgers could sit out in Chicago and be reevaluated ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, but it doesn't appear he's dealing with a long-term issue, and it does help that his injury is on his non-throwing wrist.

The Steelers' interest in Bean and Mordecai is more so them doing their due diligence and looking into insurance options who are practice squad candidates rather than being indicative of Rodgers' status.

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