NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Aaron Rodgers Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Nov 22, 2025 4:38 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 6-4 after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-12 in Week 11. The four-time MVP completed 9-of-15 passes for 116 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

However, Rodgers suffered a left wrist injury late in the second quarter, which led him to sit out the entire second half. During his last drive, though, the Bengals were penalized for two roughing the passer calls.

The first came against defensive end Myles Murphy with 55 seconds left in the second quarter. The next came a few plays later against defensive end Joseph Ossai with 35 seconds on the clock.

If not for the penalties, it would have been two incompletions to running back Kenneth Gainwell, but instead they netted Pittsburgh 25 yards and two first downs. The Steelers ended the drive with a 25-yard field goal from kicker Chris Boswell, extending their lead to 10-6.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

According to the NFL's rules enforcement guidelines, league members examine plays identified as "having potential infractions." Players can be fined $17,389 for their first roughing the passer offense, and itcan climb to $23,186 for a second offense during the same season.

On Saturday, the NFL announced its game-day accountability update for Week 11, making an official punishment decision for Murphy and Ossai. The good news for both is that neither received a fine for their hits on Rodgers. In total, the NFL handed out 23 fines, one less than Week 10.

With fines avoided, Murphy and Ossai are looking to help the Bengals (3-7) pick up their fourth win against the New England Patriots (9-2) on Sunday.

As for Rodgers, his availability for the Steelers' Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears (7-3) isn't clear. On the team's Friday injury report, the 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback was listed as questionable with that wrist injury.

Whether he's active or not doesn't have to be announced until 90 minutes before kickoff. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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