Aaron Rodgers built a career of making life miserable for the Chicago Bears. Despite suffering a wrist fracture last week, he is pushing to deliver one final slap in the Bears' face before he retires.
Rodgers' Pittsburgh Steelers visit Soldier Field this week in a huge matchup for both teams. The Steelers have lost three of their past five games and have a one-game lead in the AFC North, but they are trying to hold off the resurgent Baltimore Ravens.
It's a similar situation for the Bears, who hold a narrow lead atop the NFC North but face a daunting schedule down the stretch.
Making it more complicated is Rodgers' injury — he suffered a fracture to his left wrist last week. While he won't need surgery and it's on his non-throwing arm, it still leaves his status for Week 12 up in the air. How is Rodgers trying to get ready for the game?
"A lot of rehab. Was thankful to get today and to work with Gabe and just focus on rehab for a day. We'll try to get back on the field (on Thursday) and see what I can do," said Rodgers, via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.
Aaron Rodgers is aiming to take down the Bears one final time (and it would help the Packers)
Green Bay Packers fans will watch closely. They've enjoyed watching Rodgers destroy the Bears many times over the years, as he holds a 24-5 career record over the Packers' biggest rivals. One more time would help his Steelers, but also the Packers in a tight NFC North race.
"There's incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city. It's a great sports town, phenomenal sports fans," said Rodgers, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
"It's a great rivalry in the history of sports. You talk about the Lakers and the Celtics, and the Red Sox and the Yankees. You've got to talk about the Packers and the Bears," he added. "When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time series lead. When I left, the Packers did. Since J-Love has taken over, it's even gotten better."
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Even while being complimentary of Chicago as a sports town and for all of its history, Rodgers still couldn't resist taking a shot at the Bears. And let's be honest, he hasn't stopped taking swipes at the Bears since he left Green Bay. It's perfect. The NFL needs to see him at Soldier Field one final time.
The Bears could get the last laugh after years of misery, or Rodgers could help the Packers and snap the Bears' winning run. It's set up beautifully.
Either way, Rodgers won't be fully healthy. He'd likely need some kind of cast on his left wrist, and while he doesn't throw with that hand, it could make the exchange with the center more challenging, as well as his overall ball handling. He'd also need to be careful and try to avoid sacks.
But put Rodgers in Soldier Field, and it just magically brings the best out of him. It would be fun to see the Bears' original owner get one more chance to beat them at Soldier Field.