Steelers could take back command of AFC North with Rodgers returning

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Steelers could take back command of AFC North with Aaron Rodgers returning in Week 13

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Nov 28, 2025 2:44 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers' chances of regaining control of the AFC North increased on Friday.

Two days before a Week 13 AFC showdown with the Buffalo Bills (7-4), Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed quarterback Aaron Rodgers' health. The 21-year veteran missed Week 12's 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears (8-3) with a wrist injury.

When speaking to reporters, Tomlin shared that Rodgers will start versus Buffalo.

"He was a full participant today with no designation for the game, so it's all systems go," Tomlin told reporters.

Aaron Rodgers will start for the Steelers at QB against the Bills

“All systems go” pic.twitter.com/Oum1IYfpt3
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 28, 2025

Aaron Rodgers' health provides significant boost for Steelers ahead of pivotal conference game

This season, Rodgers, 42, is 192-of-289 (66.4%) for 1,969 yards (6.8 yards per attempt), 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Steelers are 6-4, averaging 24.6 points per game in his 10 starts.

He gives Pittsburgh a better chance of avoiding consecutive losses than had it been forced to start Mason Rudolph again. Buffalo is top five in scoring, so the Steelers likely need to generate consistent offense to win and move a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens (6-6) before the fierce rivals' first of two games in Week 14.

Baltimore lost at home on Thanksgiving night, 32-14, to the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) after previously pulling even with Pittsburgh in the AFC North standings. The Steelers (6-5) can reclaim their lead on Sunday, and getting Rodgers back gives them the best shot of doing just that.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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