Is This Aaron Rodgers’ Last Showdown With Joe Burrow In The NFL?

Joe Burrow chases his first win over Aaron Rodgers as Cincinnati Bengals visit Pittsburgh Steelers© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Joe Burrow has beaten Mike Tomlin more often than most quarterbacks ever will. He has never beaten Aaron Rodgers. On Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10, and both stories reach a turning point. Rodgers plans to retire after the 2026 season, so this may be the last time he and Burrow share a field. Tomlin, who now works for NBC, will be part of the broadcast. Throw in a tight AFC North race, and Acrisure Stadium has the feel of a big game that will matter well past January.

Joe Burrow Searches For His First Win Over Aaron Rodgers

Both of Joe Burrow's losses to Aaron Rodgers came by three points. Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers won 25-22 in overtime in 2021. Pittsburgh then took Week 3 this season by a 30-27 score. Unless the two meet in the playoffs, Sunday is Burrow's last shot at changing the record.

Don't expect a farewell ceremony, though. Asked about a jersey swap, Burrow kept it simple.

"Probably not," Burrow said when asked. "Don't really think about that too much."

The respect is still obvious. Burrow knows how rare it is to play like this at Rodgers' age.

"He's one of the greatest that's ever done it," Burrow said. "He's 41 or 42 and still doing it at a high level. I would have trouble calling it quits if I'm still playing like that, at that age."

Aaron Rodgers on the trade deadline: “I've learned to never hold my breath around a trade deadline because I don't know that I've ever been part of a team - other than when we got Davante in Jersey - where there was an addition.” Do the Steelers have enough at WR position to get to the playoffs? Rodgers: “Yeah, but we got to get healthy.”

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 11, 2026

"I've enjoyed watching him for a long time," he added. "And this year, I think he's playing so well. He really played great in that last game we played. Dang near perfect. I had to be perfect the whole time, too."

Mike Tomlin Brings A New Role To Pittsburgh Steelers Football

Tomlin adds a fun twist. He stepped away from the Steelers after last season and joined NBC, the network airing this game. Burrow will sit down with him and the rest of the crew for a production meeting before kickoff.

Burrow went 4-3 against Tomlin. Only Josh Allen (4-1) and Tom Brady (7-3) also hold a winning record against him among quarterbacks with at least four starts. Burrow clearly enjoys the idea of a conversation with his old rival.

"I've always loved how he sees the game and attacks coaching," Burrow added. "He's always attacked it with a lot of intensity that I have a lot of respect for. So to be able to get to know him in a setting like that, I think will be a little exciting for me."

Burrow also knows what he would really like to ask.

"Certainly," he said with a grin. "Maybe more of an offseason off-the-record session than a production meeting."

The stakes go beyond nostalgia. Pittsburgh is 6-2 under Mike McCarthy and leads the division. The Steelers also stayed quiet at the trade deadline, reportedly because they want a clear plan for life after Rodgers before they spend big draft picks. The Bengals tried to make a move and backed off.