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The Bears return home this week with a chance to reach 8-3 for the first time since 2018, and the path to get there runs straight through a Steelers team that’s always most comfortable turning games into street fights.
Chicago has won seven of its last eight, but Sunday presents a different kind of test—one that could feature Caleb Williams staring across the field at the quarterback he once modeled his game after.
Aaron Rodgers remains questionable, but even the possibility of that matchup raises the stakes. Williams has talked openly about studying Rodgers’ mechanics, creativity, and off-platform brilliance when he was coming out of USC. Now, he might get his first shot at beating the player whose style helped shape his own. Whether Rodgers suits up or not, the storyline looms over this matchup: the ascending No. 1 pick trying to push Chicago toward the NFC’s top tier, and the future Hall of Famer fighting to salvage Pittsburgh’s season.
Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts after defeating the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesThe Bears’ path to 8-3 starts where most Steelers games are decided — the trenches. Chicago’s offensive line has quietly become one of the most reliable groups in the league. Darnell Wright has settled in, the interior is playing with cohesion, and the unit has protected Williams at a top-10 rate. That matters because Pittsburgh’s defensive front remains the strength of its roster. Even without the peak versions of T.J. Watt or Cam Heyward, the Steelers generate pressure, play physically, and force quarterbacks to speed up their internal clock.
That puts even more weight on Williams, who has stacked composed, turnover-averse outings and who enters Week 12 playing some of his most efficient football of the season. Pittsburgh disguises coverages well, and Mike Tomlin’s defense always brings something unscouted. This is another mental-processing test for the rookie — one that looks a lot like the one he passed last week against Brian Flores.
And the timing matters. Chicago is on the cusp of something real. A win moves them to 8-3 with consecutive road games against the Eagles and Packers ahead, the toughest two-week stretch on the remaining schedule. Handle business Sunday, and the Bears enter that gauntlet with momentum, confidence, and the legitimacy of a team that’s earned its place in the NFC playoff picture.
This is the point in the calendar when pretenders fade and contenders harden. Sunday will help clarify which bucket the Bears belong in — and whether Caleb Williams can notch another milestone moment on the way there.
Chicago Bears Week 12 Storylines
Bears–Steelers Storylines: Rodgers-Williams Intrigue, Playoff Positioning, and a Trenches TestGame Info
Chicago Bears (2025: 7-3) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (2025: 6-4)
TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt, Evan Washburn), NFL Network*Streaming: NFL+ *, ChicagoBears.com, Chicago Bears App, ESPNRadio: ESPN 1000 AM (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Jason McKie); LATINO MIX 93.5 FM (Omar Ramos)
Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM CTSite: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.Referee: John HusseyOdds: Bears -2.5, O/U 45.5 (via BetMGM)
Bears Projected Starters
Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) takes the field for a game against the New York Giants at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesOffense
QB – Caleb Williams RB – D’Andre Swift WR – DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III TE – Cole Kmet OL – Theo Benedet, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson, Darnell WrightDefense
DL – Montez Sweat, Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., Austin Booker LB – Ruben Hyppolite II, D’Marco Jackson CB – Tyrique Stevenson, Nahshon Wright, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S – Kevin Byard III, Jaquan BriskerSpecialists
Cairo Santos (kicker), Tory Taylor (punter, holder), Scott Daly (long snapper), Devin Duvernay (kick and punt returner)MORE: CHICAGO BEARS WEEK 11 INJURY REPORT
Steelers Projected Starters
Offense
QB – Aaron Rodgers RB – Jaylen Warren WR – DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson TE – Darnell Washington OL – Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumaio, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Troy FautanuDefense
DL – Cameron Heyward, Keaunu Benton, Derrick Harmon LB – T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, Cole Holcomb, Alex Highsmith CB – Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols S – Jalen Ramsey, Kyler DuggerSpecialists
Chris Boswell (kicker), Corliss Waitman (punter, holder), Christian Kuntz (long snapper), Calvin Austin III (kick and punt returner) Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) makes a pass to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn ImagesThree Bears
Every week, our Chicago Bears writers will give you their Bears player to watch in the matchup ahead. Three Bears is a staple of these previews, and with Bears coverage expanding this season, I thought it would be cool to involve all of the Bears thinkers in the exercise.
Patrick Flowers: Caleb Williams — If Aaron Rodgers plays against a D without their top three linebackers, he’s going to get the ball out quick in the second level, and we could see Chicago struggle to stop Pittsburgh’s offense. I feel like it’s going to take no less than four touchdowns from the offense to win this one, and Caleb Williams is likely going to need to play a significant role in finding those four trips to the end zone.
Luis Medina: Dennis Allen — The DA Masterclass in the first half of the Bears’ win vs. the Saints is one of my favorite things to happen this football season. I would give just about anything for a full game of that against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. And it’s not as if there is any love lost between Allen and Steelers OC Arthur Smith. Remember, the two used to spar as head coaches in the NFC South, with Allen leading the Saints and Smith heading the Falcons.
Matt Rooney: Montez Sweat — Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph, getting after the quarterback will be a key for the Bears on Sunday. Rodgers isn’t mobile anymore, Rudolph isn’t good, and the offensive line is very up-and-down. Sweat hasn’t been bad this year, but he hasn’t been a gamebreaker either. It would be nice to see him be a gamebreaker in this one, because the Bears’ defense could use a performance like that up front.
Bears vs. Steelers Preview — BN Bears Podcast | EP 9
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