Aaron Rodgers’s Audacious Return to Chicago
Chicago, brace yourselves. Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback who has been the bane of Bears fans for nearly two decades, is back in the Windy City for the Steelers-Bears matchup. While he won’t be suiting up for the Steelers against your beloved Bears today due to a left wrist injury, Rodgers wasted no time reminding everyone of his infamous presence at Soldier Field, setting a distinctive tone hours before kickoff.
A Fiery Greeting at Soldier Field
Long known for his ability to get under the skin of Chicago supporters, Rodgers arrived at Soldier Field with his Steelers team, even though he was officially ruled out of the Week 12 matchup. True to form, the 41-year-old quarterback embarked on a solitary lap around the iconic stadium. It was during this pre-game ritual that he delivered a classic Rodgers moment. As reported by ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Rodgers pointedly flipped off several cameras with his right hand before retreating to the locker room. This audacious gesture, coming from a player who has historically owned this stadium, was a clear statement, leaving little doubt about his enduring attitude toward the Chicago faithful, even from the sidelines. The detail that he used his right hand further underscored the fact that his left wrist injury was indeed keeping him out of the game.
A Legacy of Dominance: “I Still Own You!”
Aaron Rodgers’s history at Soldier Field is a chapter of consistent dominance and memorable moments that Bears fans would rather forget. Over his storied career as the Green Bay Packers’ starting quarterback, Rodgers boasts an impressive 12–3 record in games played in Chicago, including a pivotal 21–14 victory in the 2010 NFC Championship Game that sent the Packers to the Super Bowl. The last time the Bears managed to defeat Rodgers at home was a 24–17 win back on December 16, 2018—a victory now nearly half a decade in the rearview mirror. His most infamous, and perhaps most defining, moment in Chicago came in 2021. During a Week 6 contest, after scrambling for a six-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal a 24–14 Packers win, Rodgers famously shouted, “I still own you!” at a section of disheartened Bears fans. This brazen declaration, captured on camera and replayed endlessly, cemented his status as the ultimate tormentor, a phrase that resonates with every Chicago fan. This history speaks volumes about the psychological hold he has maintained over the rivalry.
The Rivalry Continues, From the Sidelines
While today’s Steelers-Bears showdown won’t feature Aaron Rodgers under center, his presence in Chicago—and his unmistakable pre-game antics—ensures that the rivalry remains charged. For Chicago locals, the sight of Rodgers, even if injured, is a stark reminder of past frustrations and the long shadow he casts over this division. The Bears now have an opportunity to write a different narrative, facing a Steelers team without the direct threat of their long-time tormentor. This game, set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, becomes a test for the current Bears squad to prove their mettle, hopefully leveraging Rodgers’s sideline presence as motivation rather than intimidation.
| Aaron Rodgers at Soldier Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Career Record (as starter vs. Bears) | 12-3 |
| Last Bears Home Win vs. Rodgers | December 16, 2018 |
| “I Still Own You!” Incident | October 17, 2021 |
- Is Aaron Rodgers playing in today’s Steelers-Bears game?
No, Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out of the Week 12 matchup against the Bears due to a left wrist injury. - What is Aaron Rodgers’s record at Soldier Field against the Bears?
As a starting quarterback for the Packers, Rodgers holds an impressive 12-3 record in games played at Soldier Field. - When did Rodgers famously shout, “I still own you!” at Bears fans?
This iconic moment occurred on October 17, 2021, after he scored a touchdown during a Packers’ 24-14 victory over the Bears. - Why was Aaron Rodgers in Chicago if he wasn’t playing?
Rodgers was with his team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they prepared to face the Chicago Bears for their Week 12 game.
For dedicated Chicago fans, today offers a rare chance to see their team compete against a squad featuring Aaron Rodgers without the immediate pressure of facing him on the field. It’s an opportunity for the Bears to focus purely on their game, letting the historical context of Rodgers’s dominance speak for itself, and perhaps begin a new chapter in this storied rivalry.
Injured Rodgers Flips Off Cameras in Chicago
