Back in 2021, Aaron Rodgers gave Chicago fans a quote that might as well be etched in Soldier Field concrete. After scoring a touchdown en route to a 24-14 dub, the then-Packers QB turned to the stands and delivered that now-iconic line: “I still own you!” Whether it was trash talk or truth, Rodgers made his stance on the Bears pretty clear, and then doubled down on The Pat McAfee Show days later. He didn’t just own the Bears. He owned the moment. And yeah, the 22–5 record (eventually 24–5) didn’t exactly hurt his case either.

Fast forward to this weekend, and Rodgers, now a free agent and still one of the NFL’s best mystery box storylines, found himself fielding a very innocent-sounding question from a young fan: “Will Aaron Rodgers ever go to the Bears?” You could almost get the first part, but not what followed. “No! But, I believe, there’s a team that might play in Chicago this year.” He smirked as he said that. And then came the jab: “I love Chicago, though. Way more than they can love me. It’s been a great relationship. All one way.”

Schefter posted the clip, and suddenly Steelers fans were putting pins on maps and connecting dots with yarn. Why? Because the Steelers play in Chicago this season—on Nov. 23. Coincidence? Maybe. But when Aaron Rodgers says something that sounds like nothing, it’s usually something.

This isn’t the first time Rodgers has flirted with Pittsburgh. Remember 2021? While the Steelers were scraping their way through a 1–3 start, fans were already dreaming of a Rodgers-Tomlin combo. It wasn’t just Twitter chatter either. Rodgers openly praised the Steelers, respected Tomlin, and even gave a nod to the city’s sandwich game. At the time, it was speculative. Now? It feels a little closer to the chest.

Of course, not everyone was thrilled with those rumors back then. Some Steelers loyalists felt that gushing over Rodgers while Ben Roethlisberger, who was still under center, was borderline betrayal. Writers like Anthony Defeo even called it disrespectful to a two-time Super Bowl QB who was still giving it everything. But now, with no Big Ben, no QB1 locked in, and a trip to Chicago on the calendar, Rodgers’ words hit differently.

So, is he just trolling again? Or are we finally seeing the breadcrumbs lead somewhere real? With the Rodgers saga, it’s always a tightrope between smoke and signal. And maybe that’s why Pittsburgh is getting tired of the re-run.

Mike Tomlin’s not letting Aaron Rodgers flirt again

The Steelers have been in a staring contest with Aaron Rodgers for three months now, and they’re starting to blink. You can only sit on the fence for so long before it becomes a balancing act nobody asked for. At first, it was quiet confidence. Art Rooney II told reporters they’d wait, sure, but they don’t have time. Running on fumes. And now? It looks like the clock’s just about out of sand.

Jeremy Fowler’s latest drop says it all: “Cousins is at the very least on the Steelers’ radar.” That’s Kirk Cousins, currently wrapped in $37.5 million worth of guaranteed money over the next two years. That’s not pocket change—unless you’re the Falcons, who don’t seem eager to share the load. “If they were willing to take a small percentage,” one league source said, “like $7 or $8 million of that money, a deal would be done by now.” But here we are, still waiting.

So, why Cousins? Why now? Simple. Pittsburgh’s current QB room features Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. And that’s not exactly a two-minute drill duo. Yes, sure, some of the teammates are endorsing Mason under center, but if you’re Mike Tomlin, you’re looking at that depth chart like a defensive coordinator licking his chops. Rodgers was Plan A. But at some point, even the cool-headed Tomlin has to call time on the offseason slow dance.

Look, fans were sold on the Rodgers dream. The idea of him stepping into Acrisure like it’s Lambeau 2.0 had its moments. But how long do you keep the light on before it becomes a waste of power? Rodgers might be off in the woods again, finding clarity. Meanwhile, Tomlin’s got a roster to run. Pittsburgh isn’t here to be anyone’s backup plan. Not even for Aaron.