“Go somewhere and chew on bark”: Terry Bradshaw’s savage message to Aaron Rodgers amid the No. 12 Jersey debate

Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh has stirred more than just excitement, it’s sparked a heated debate over his jersey number. The iconic No. 12, forever synonymous with Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw, remains untouchable in the eyes of many.

Adding fuel to the fire, Bradshaw himself delivered a sharp message to Rodgers to “go somewhere and chew on bark,” turning the No. 12 jersey battle into one of the NFL’s most talked-about controversies.

Why Aaron Rodgers may never wear Steelers’ No. 12

The Steelers’ No. 12 is more than just a number. Once donned by the incomparable Terry Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Pittsburgh legend, No. 12 carries weight that few other jerseys can claim. Though the Steelers haven’t officially retired the number, they effectively treat it as untouchable.

This unofficial retirement isn’t just about respect, it’s about protecting a legacy.Bradshaw, for his part, hasn’t exactly rolled out the welcome mat. His biting remark “That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there” wasn’t just for laughs. It captured the sentiment of a fan base wary of Rodgers stepping into a tradition-rich franchise that guards its icons closely.

Interestingly, Rodgers once had the chance to wear No. 12 with the New York Jets, a number famously worn by Joe Namath. Namath even gave Rodgers his blessing. Yet Rodgers declined.With Bradshaw’s clear opposition and the Steelers’ reverence for the number, Rodgers is unlikely to wear No. 12 on the Steelers. The obvious alternative is No. 8, a number with its own Steelers history through quarterbacks Tommy Maddox and current starter Kenny Pickett.

However, to claim No. 8, Rodgers would need to negotiate with punter Corliss Waitman, the current holder.Rodgers could break away from tradition entirely and choose a new number, signaling a new era for himself in Pittsburgh. That would be a bold statement, reinventing not just his jersey but his identity in a town famous for holding tight to its football heritage.Also Read: Cincinnati Bengals’ $550 million offense returns for 2025 NFL season with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins under playoff pressureAt the end of the day, Rodgers’ jersey number may seem like a small detail, but it reveals the larger cultural clash brewing between a superstar quarterback known for blazing his own trail and a team rooted in decades of unyielding tradition. Whether Rodgers embraces the Steelers’ legacy or carves out his own path, the drama over No. 12 is only just beginning and it’s a story every NFL fan will want to watch unfold.