(670 The Score) Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has long admired future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers amid the latter's remarkable 21-year NFL career.
Rodgers is now with the Steelers and in line to potentially face Williams and the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field, but he's suffering from a fracture in his left wrist. Rodgers first needs medical clearance before he can play Sunday.
The Bears are monitoring the status of the 41-year-old Rodgers, and so is Williams.
“There are probably a couple quarterbacks in the world that have been able to spin the ball the way that he does,” Williams said of Rodgers. “Growing up as a kid, when you find and realize how hard it is to play this position, you admire some of the things he’s been able to do over this long career he’s had.
“You always want their best out there, and he’s one of the best in the world and he has been one of the best in the world for however long he’s been in the league. You always want to go versus the best when you play and hopefully get to say what’s up to him and shake his hand out there.”
Rodgers didn't practice Wednesday, though he told reporters in Pittsburgh that his hope is to work later this week with the intention of playing Sunday.
Williams, who turned 24 on Tuesday, grew up idolizing Rodgers as a player. Despite playing for the Bears, Williams has pointed to Rodgers’ 18-year tenure with the rival Packers as a goal for his own career.
With that in mind, Williams wants to match up against Rodgers on Sunday.
“It would be cool,” he said. “For me, I’m not getting into the mindset of anything other than it’s just another matchup, and then after the game you obviously you give him his kudos and ask for any advice or anything like that. But during the game and before the game. it’s us battling verse each other and going to war and trying to be 1-0 for our teams.”
The Bears (7-3) and Steelers (6-4) will kick off at noon CT on Sunday from Soldier Field.