Aaron Rodgers' Crude Hand Gesture Toward Cameras At Steelers-Bears Game Slammed: 'He's So Washed'

Aaron Rodgers returned to Chicago with a bold pregame gesture that raised eyebrows, especially after he missed the Steelers’ Week 12 game due to a wrist injury.

Recently reflecting on his long rivalry with the Bears, the quarterback downplayed the “villain” label and praised the city. Earlier in the month, he struggled in a loss to the Chargers and criticized his own play.

Off the field, curiosity surrounds Aaron Rodgers' secretive marriage, as teammates’ partners say they’ve never met his elusive wife.

Rodgers didn’t hold back when he revisited his old stomping grounds on Sunday, greeting a cameraman in Chicago with a pointed one-finger gesture.

Ahead of the Steelers’ Week 12 matchup at Soldier Field, Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons terrorizing the Bears’ defense as Green Bay’s star quarterback, made a lap around the field before kickoff, flipping off the camera in a moment that didn’t go unnoticed.

Earlier in June, Rodgers had hinted that this might be his final NFL campaign, and he had seemed eager for one more showdown against Chicago.

However, he didn’t take the field for Pittsburgh, sidelined by a wrist injury he suffered during the Steelers’ Week 11 win over the Bengals. Veteran backup Mason Rudolph started in his place as the Steelers fell 31-28, dropping their record to 6-5.

Coach Mike Tomlin later confirmed Rodgers’ injury doesn’t require surgery. “It’s just about bracing and securing it for his comfort and safety. And then, it’s about how functional he is,” Tomlin explained.

Football fans were not too pleased with Rodgers flipping off the cameraman, as many took to social media to troll the popular quarterback.

In a viral Reddit post, a person commented, "I appreciate the level of hate this man has for us because the feeling is mutual."

Another said, "He's so washed, can't even flip a double bird anymore," while a third joked, "Hope he doesn’t cut himself being so edgy."

"Is it really a rivalry if you're just a jerk?" another football fan asked.

Amid the criticism, a fan took the opportunity to inquire if the hand gesture meant that Rodgers' wrist had healed.

They said, "Which hand was he using to flip the bird? Might be a sign that his wrist is getting better," to which someone responded, "It was his right, so still TBD lol."

Before the game, in an interview prior to Rudolph taking the field in his place, Rodgers was asked if facing the Bears carried any extra motivation given his history with the team.

"There's incentive for every opponent, but I have enjoyed many a Sunday and Monday and Thursdays in that city," Rodgers said, referencing his 24-5 regular-season record against Chicago. "It's a great sports town, phenomenal sports fans, and a great place to play."

When pressed about embracing the role of the “villain” in the longstanding Packers-Bears rivalry, the four-time MVP grinned but downplayed it.

“I'd rather not be; I mean, I'm not in Green Bay anymore. I feel like we can let bygones be bygones. Maybe I can, I guess,” he said.

He reflected on the rivalry’s evolution: "It's a great rivalry. ... When I first got to Green Bay, the Bears had the all-time series lead. When I left, [the] Packers did. Since [Jordan] J-Love has taken over, it's even gotten better, but I hope those fans can put that behind 'em. I'm sure they can't, don't expect 'em to, but I really enjoy the city."

Earlier in the month, Rodgers struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers, as Pittsburgh fell 25-10 to the AFC West squad.

The veteran quarterback was self-critical after the game, reflecting on a stat line that included 16 completions for 161 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, and a fumble recovered in his own end zone for a safety. He was also sacked three times.

"This was not my best performance," he told ESPN. "I've got to play better than this for us to win. Whatever it takes ... if it's better checks, if it's better throws, whatever it is, I got to play better. I will. ... We got to play better on offense, for sure. But this is part of the season.”

The NFL star continued: "There's ebbs and flows, there's ups and downs, and we can't ride the wave."

Rodgers’ end-zone fumble came in the first quarter while trying to evade pressure. He managed to recover it, but it still resulted in two points for the Chargers.

Off the field, Rodgers’ personal life continues to intrigue fans. His wife has remained one of the NFL’s most enduring mysteries.

“She’s like a phantom,” said the wife of one of Rodgers’ teammates, part of the league’s social circle of spouses. “We all want to meet her, to invite her out, get to know her. But we haven't met her yet. We don't even know who she is.”

Rodgers confirmed his marital status during training camp in June, though he provided few details, saying only that it had “been a couple of months” since he tied the knot.

He declined to reveal his spouse’s identity but previously mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show in December 2024 that he was dating someone named Brittani, describing her as a “private person.”

“I'm with somebody who's private, who doesn't want to be in the public eye, didn't sign up to be a celebrity - and because I do things in private, because I want my personal life to be private, now I'm weird,” he explained. “My private life is my private life -and it's going to stay that way.”