Aaron Rodgers finally makes his decision for the 2025 NFL season and the Bengals will give him a first-time experience

At long last, the Cincinnati Bengals' AFC North has landed its starting quarterback for the upcoming 2025 NFL season. Per multiple reports, Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers leading up to the team's mandatory minicamp next week. Rodgers will be the Steelers' third Week 1 starter in as many years and the fourth […]

John Sheeran Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) attempts to deflect it in the second half of the NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Green Bay Packers defeated Cincinnati Bengals 25-22 in overtime. Green Bay Packers At Cincinnati Bengals 59
© Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

At long last, the Cincinnati Bengals' AFC North has landed its starting quarterback for the upcoming 2025 NFL season.

Per multiple reports, Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers leading up to the team's mandatory minicamp next week.

Rodgers will be the Steelers' third Week 1 starter in as many years and the fourth Pittsburgh QB to start against Cincinnati since 2023. The Bengals never faced the four-time MVP during his two years with the New York Jets, but they did cross paths four times when playing the Green Bay Packers. He was 2-2 in those matchups.

The next time Rodgers starts in Cincinnati will be a new experience for both sides.

Aaron Rodgers to face Bengals in primetime for the first time ever

For the first time in his career, Rodgers will play against the Bengals at night when the Steelers come to Cincinnati for "Thursday Night Football" in Week 7 on Oct. 16. 

It's also the lone primetime game the Bengals will host at Paycor Stadium this year barring the league flexing later home games to nighttime slots. Cincinnati is scheduled to play three night games on the road, including another TNF game against the Baltimore Ravens.

"Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight primetime year isn't ideal," Joe Burrow said following the schedule release. "Maybe we could get one of those in Cincinnati next year, please?" 

The last time Rodgers came to Cincinnati was a wild 2021 afternoon in which his Packers won an overtime thriller, 25-22, featuring a combined five missed field goals from Mason Crosby and Evan McPherson. The last time Pittsburgh played in Cincinnati under the lights was the year prior when Ryan Finley led an upset victory on "Monday Night Football."

Rodgers is a career 13-6 on TNF and won both of his starts on Thursday night with the Jets. The Bengals have only played the Steelers twice on Thursday night, winning in 1995 and losing in 2008. 

Cincinnati is one of 10 teams Rodgers has yet to face at night. He'll cross them off this October.