Mike Tomlin Hypes Up Steelers' Challenge Ahead of Bengals Rematch: ‘Aaron Rodgers Is a Legend, But We’re Ready for This Test’
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for a critical rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals, with a major test awaiting them in the form of Aaron Rodgers and his elite skill set. Steelers head coach
“Aaron Rodgers is a legend for a reason. We know what we’re up against, but it’s a test we’re ready for. Our team is built for these challenges.” – Mike Tomlin
The Respect for Rodgers Is Clear
Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. With a career full of remarkable plays and big moments, Rodgers has earned the respect of his peers and opponents alike. Tomlin’s acknowledgment of Rodgers as a “legend” reflects that respect, but it’s clear that the Steelers aren’t backing down in the face of such a challenge.
“The reality is that we’re facing one of the best to ever do it,” Tomlin said. “But we’ve got a team that’s built for this kind of test. We’ve been preparing for moments like this, and we’re not intimidated by the name on the jersey. This is about execution, and we’re ready to bring our best.”
Steelers Focus on Execution Over Individual Playmakers
While the Steelers are well aware of Rodgers’ ability to turn a game in his favor with just one pass, Tomlin reiterated that football is a team sport. His focus remains on how the team as a whole performs, not just on neutralizing Rodgers. With a defense that has the potential to make game-changing plays, Tomlin is confident in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“We respect Rodgers as much as anyone, but we’re not playing one man,” Tomlin continued. “We’re playing a full team, and we’ve got to stick to what we do well. If we execute our game plan, trust each other, and stay disciplined, we can compete with anyone.”
What’s at Stake for the Steelers?
The Steelers’ season is at a pivotal point, and Tomlin knows that these tough games are essential for setting the tone for the rest of the campaign. A win against the Bengals, especially in a high-stakes game against a legendary quarterback, could boost the team’s confidence and playoff aspirations.
“This is a test for our defense,” said Tomlin. “Rodgers is a great player, but we’ve got a great defense too. This game is about us playing together, executing, and doing our jobs. If we stay focused, we’ll have a chance to win.”
Moving Forward
As the Steelers prepare for the game, the focus will be on staying disciplined, executing the game plan, and trusting in each other. With Tomlin’s leadership, the team is ready to embrace the challenge and prove they can compete with the best. For the Steelers, this is more than just a game — it’s an opportunity to show they’re a team built for the big moments.
As Tomlin has made clear, Aaron Rodgers may be a legend, but the Steelers are determined to rise to the challenge. The question is: will the Steelers’ preparation and belief be enough to overcome one of the NFL’s all-time greats?
Bears come out empty handed after another missed opportunity and with no other options the team faces an uncertain path forward
The Chicago Bears improved to 6-3 on Sunday with a thrilling win over the New York Giants, but the team isn't getting complacent with where they stand after the first ten weeks of the season, and rightfully so.
A lot still needs to be improved before we can start talking about this team like a legitimate playoff contender and the upcoming schedule will really showcase what kind of team this truly is.
Head coach Ben Johnson understands this and acknowledged some of the areas that are still holding this team back from playing a complete game. As such, the Bears have been exploring different ways to improve on both sides of the ball and came out empty handed again with the latest opportunity.
Bears miss out on CB Asante Samuel Jr. after he opted to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers
On Tuesday, the Bears were scheduled to visit with free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to see what kind of playing shape he's in after being cleared from a spinal-fusion surgery he underwent back in April. Chicago was in need of some depth at the position but league-wide interest was high in the former second round pick.
Samuel finally reached his decision after meeting with multiple teams and elected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on the team's practice squad, first reported by Jeremy Fowler.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 11, 2025Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source.
A top-25 free agent in March, Samuel recovered from spinal-fusion surgery in time to sign for the season’s second half. Now, he gets a new start with Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/pK5QfhfEy0
This is now the second time in as many weeks the Bears missed out on adding a starting-caliber player to the cornerback position. Last week, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the Bears inquired about trading for New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor but couldn't get the deal pushed across the finish line ahead of the trade deadline.
Chicago went into Week 10 with Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright starting on the outside at cornerback, the usual starters the team has been deploying since losing Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson earlier in the season.
The team's head coach note Stevenson's played improved from Week 9 to Week 10 despite allowing a team-high 96 yards in coverage on eight targets. Since Johnson's injury, Stevenson has been forced into the #1 cornerback role with Wright starting on the opposite boundary.
Both players have been liabilities in coverage allowing big plays down the field all season. Stevenson's 17.9 yards per reception allowed is the most among all cornerbacks with 250+ coverage snaps this season and Wright's 13.5 yards per reception allowed is the 16th-most among 62 cornerbacks.
The chance of adding Samuel was really the last viable move the Bears could have made to upgrade the position and now the team turns to the waiting game. Standout nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon is expected to miss at least one more week on the injured reserve before he can have his practice window opened and Johnson isn't expected back until December at the earliest.
In the meantime, the Bears will need Stevenson and Wright to step up and improve their play in coverage. A resurgent pass rush should help mask some of their struggles in the back end but it's not something that should be seen as sustainable for long.
