This was definitely not the plan. Not when training camp opened. Not when the regular season began. But 11 weeks into their 2025 regular season, in their 10th game and second in the annual home-and-home with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers found themselves forced off script.

Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was signed to be, and had been, the hub of their offense all along, was injured at the end of the first half; and Mason Rudolph, who hadn't taken a snap all season and hadn't take a snap for the Steelers since Week 17 in 2023, was running the show. Starting running back Jaylen Warren, whose recent play was worthy of more touches than he had been getting, was on the sideline with an ankle injury after rushing for 54 yards in 8 carries in the first half, and Kenneth Gainwell,

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