Mike Tomlin has known all along that Aaron Rodgers could take his time to decide whether to come back for the 2025 NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers brought back Mason Rudolph just in case, but they’re still saving a spot for the 41-year-old.
Rudolph, who turns 30 in July, is back in Pittsburgh after leaving the Steel City for the Tennesse Titans last year. And even though he’s aware that the Steelers may have no near deadline for Rodgers, this speculation isn’t bothering him.
During the first day of the Steelers’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Rudolph inevitably faced questions related to the Rodgers rumors. The quarterback, selected by the Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft, made it clear to Tomlin and company that he already knows how to handle the outside noise.
“That’s nothing new to me. There’s been constant noise,” Rudolph said, via the Steelers’ website. “That is the nature of the NFL. So I am used to that for a long time. Now I’m doing nothing but being the best I can be to help our team get better this spring.”
The Steelers move forward while waiting for Rodgers
While the NFL world is still waiting for updates on Rodgers, the Steelers continue to prepare for the upcoming season. For instance, the team recently confirmed a new signing for Tomlin with the addition of WR Montana Lemonious-Craig.
With Rodgers still contemplating his future, the Steelers kicked off the third phase of their offseason program with the three quarterbacks who are under contract for the 2025 NFL season.
Apart from Rudolph, Tomlin is counting on this year’s draft pick Will Howard and Skylar Thompson, who was signed in January. Rodgers is expected to take over at some point, but until then, Rudolph is working as the Steelers QB1.
A new face is expected at the Steelers QB room
On Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that, in the event the possibility of Rodgers falls through, the Steelers will switch their attention to Kirk Cousins as a plan B. Which means that, one way or another, Rudolph will face more competition in the QB room.