Week 12 Blog: DK's ready no matter who is at QB

Nov 19, 2025 at 06:25 PM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

Wednesday, November 19

Nailing it down: Aaron Rodgers said on Wednesday that he is hoping to 'get back on the field' on Thursday to see how he can function with his left wrist injury.

At the same time, quarterback Mason Rudolph said his mindset is to be ready if he is called upon.

Either way, receiver DK Metcalf will be prepared.

Metcalf said there are some subtle changes working with the two quarterbacks, but he doesn't think it's an issue at all.

"I think the only difference is the communication throughout the week," said Metcalf. "I know they're two different quarterbacks. They like certain routes run different ways. So just nailing that down, just how they want the routes run."

Metcalf said he thought Rudolph handled coming into the Bengals game in the second half, after Rodgers left with the wrist injury, like a true pro.

"I think it's just you've got to be ready for whoever's back there at quarterback at all times," said Metcalf. "He came in, commanded the huddle nicely. Everybody was listening to him, and he stepped in and did a good job."

Like everyone, Metcalf doesn't know what will happen at the quarterback position on Sunday. What he does know, though, is Rodgers also has the right approach this week.

"Just talking to him, I think his head is in the right place," said Metcalf. "He's going to do everything he can get back on the field as fast as possible."

And whoever is at quarterback, Metcalf is hoping they can have lengthy drives like they did in the second half against the Bengals.

"We converted on third down and we were able to stay in third and manageable," said Metcalf. "I know Darnell (Washington) converted a big third and seventeen, on his own being the type of football player he is. So, being able to sustain drives to where we could end up in the red zone and put up points on the board.

"Just executing the play that's called. The defense can't stop all 11 of us if we're clicking, so just executing the play that is called."

Operating normally: The Steelers are not sure at this point in the week who will be starting at quarterback on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but there is one thing center Zach Frazier knows.

He will approach the game the same no matter who it is.

"I feel like I always operate the same, no matter who's back there," said Frazier. "I don't think it's a big difference for me from a communication standpoint and stuff like that."

The team might not know until as late as Friday if it will be starter Aaron Rodgers, who has a broken bone in his left wrist, or Mason Rudolph who will be at the helm at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Either way, they will be prepared.

"I feel confident in both guys," said Frazier. "Mason, obviously we got a ton of reps over the summer. Actually, all of OTAs I got reps with Mason and I'm very confident in him. And then obviously, all the work with Aaron this year.

"So, whoever's out there we would feel confident that they can go out there and help us win the game."

Frazier said he never has snapped to a quarterback who has dealt with a wrist injury like this, but time will tell.

"I guess we'll find out," said Frazier. "But I assume if he's good enough to play, I'm sure that he'll be good enough to take a snap. I don't think there'd be any difference in the snap if he's good to go."

With Rodgers not signed this year until the team's mandatory minicamp, it was Rudolph who worked with the first team offense throughout the spring.

And it could pay dividends now.

"It's huge because we developed a relationship over the summer," said Frazier. "Just reps and snaps, and I feel confident with Mason."

Frazier was impressed with Rudolph's demeanor when he did step in against the Bengals in the second half last week, knowing the way Rudolph approaches each week would pay off.

"You could tell he was prepared," said Frazier. "He prepares every week. So, when he was in the huddle, he was confident and led us that second half.

"He's a confident guy. He goes out there and he's a great leader of the offense. We all have faith in Mason, and we've seen it on the field."

Staying with Slay: Coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday he expects cornerback Darius Slay to return this week after missing the Bengals game while in the concussion protocol. Slay was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, while still listed on the injury report with the concussion.

In Slay's absence in the Bengals game, as well as part of the Chargers game, cornerback James Pierre stepped up to the plate.

Pierre recovered a fumble against the Bengals and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. He also had six tackles and two passes defensed, and also kept receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase in check when the Bengals threw his way.

Pierre is expected to continue to see playing time, but if Slay is healthy this week, he will return to his starting spot.

"He steps back in and plays," said Coach Mike Tomlin on Slay. "We're certainly going to continue to play James. He's deserving of that, but if healthy, Slay is going to play."

That isn't a reflection of any dissatisfaction with Pierre though.

"He's done a nice job, but again, usually when you're a backup, you get targets, and so when you get targets, you generally get breakups," said Tomlin.

"We have not been displeased with his efforts. We've been quite pleased with his efforts. We're certainly interested in continuing to use him as we move forward."

Taking the next step: Former Steelers defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood is one of nine semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in the Seniors category.

Greenwood was drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL Draft, the 238th overall pick out of Arkansas AM&N.

He went on to play 13 seasons for the Steelers, becoming a starter his third season, and was a key part of the Steelers four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.

Greenwood was a member of the Steel Curtain defense, along with Joe Greene, Dwight White and Ernie Holmes, that dominated opposing offenses.

In Greenwood's first year as a starter in 1971 he had five fumble recoveries. He led the Steelers in sacks with 8.5 in 1973, following by a career-high 11 sacks in 1974, both which were 14-game seasons. He finished his career with 73.5 sacks.

He was a two-time first team Associated Press All-Pro selection (1974, 1975) and a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1973-76, 1978-79). He was also a member of the Steelers All-Time Team, the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and was a member of the inaugural Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2017.

First time should be a charm: Within the next few weeks, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce Modern Era Semifinalists for the Class of 2026, with multiple Steelers still in the running.

One of them is center Maurkice Pouncey.

Pouncey, who is in his first year of eligibility and a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor Class of 2025, was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 18th overall pick. Shortly after Pouncey arrived at Saint Vincent College for his rookie training camp, he earned the starting job, and he held it from that day until he decided to end his NFL career.

"When I think of Maurkice Pouncey, I try not to get emotional because of how much he means to me," said former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, also a member of the Hall of Honor Class of 2025. "No quarterback, no good quarterback can ever be successful without a great center. You look at (Terry) Bradshaw and (Mike) Webster and it goes down the list of all the greats that have had partnerships together. And that's what we were. We were a great team. And that line up front just revolved around him. He was the centerpiece of the wheel that went as an offensive line. I voted him as MVP every year because as a quarterback it just wasn't the same without him out there. I hated it when he couldn't practice because I didn't have my comfort blanket.

"He was a guy that just gave everything to this team, to me, to protecting me. And he put the work in, in the classroom. It was very evident. That guy was so smart. He could make every call, every change. It was like we were on the same page. Every time he would make a call, I was with him. If I made a call, we knew what each other were thinking."

In his rookie season, Pouncey would stabilize a position previously held by journeymen Sean Mahan and Justin Hartwig for a team that went on to reach Super Bowl XLV. Pouncey was unable to play in the Super Bowl after injuring an ankle in the AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets. He won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award that season, given annually to the team's Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, becoming the first offensive lineman to win it since 2000.

"When you look at Maurkice Pouncey, I don't think there's any question that he is a Hall of Fame center," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "His ability to do what he did at a very high level for an extended period of time. The high elite offenses that he played on. He was in a long lineage of great centers with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Going back from Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, Jeff Hartings. Maurkice Pouncey once again proves that he is a legacy in the making. He's a guy that belongs in the Hall of Fame, no question about it. Not only what he did at a high level, but he did it for a long period of time on a very, very good offense. Maurkice Pouncey belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

Pouncey didn't need much time to establish himself as a starter in the NFL, and he quickly built on his growing resume. He became the first center in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons (2010-12) and went on to be a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He was twice voted first-team Associated Press All-Pro (2011, 2014) and was a second-team AP All-Pro selection three times (2010, 2012 and 2018).

Pouncey was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade team for the 2010s, an honor Steelers Hall of Fame center Mike Webster earned in the 1970s and 1980s, with a spot on an All-Decade team typically leading to being enshrined in Canton.

Pouncey was a steady leader on offense, someone who guided the younger players while still showing a shining example for even the most seasoned veterans. It was that leadership that had his teammates select him as an offensive team captain four times (2013, 2018, 2019 and 2020).

"That guy is a high energy, high effort, super smart football player," said Roethlisberger. "And I just don't think I've ever seen a lineman, especially a center like him. And that's why he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

"He's one of the best to ever do it. He's a guy that when he was out there, you knew you always had a chance. And for a quarterback to have a guy like that, that you believe in, trust in, and know that everything he does is 110%, Maurkice Pouncey is a Hall of Famer in every way."