The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Mason Rudolph as their quarterback for the upcoming season, and his history with Mike Tomlin sparks many theories about what this could mean for Aaron Rodgers.
While Rodgers takes his time deciding his future, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan couldn’t wait any longer. With fewer quarterbacks left in free agency, the franchise was at risk of being left without a quality player at the position.
In 2018, the Steelers selected Rudolph with the 76th pick in the draft. A third round choice with first round talent. After his career at Oklahoma State, scouts in Pittsburgh saw him as the successor to Ben Roethlisberger and the key player to keep the team as a Super Bowl contender.
Did Steelers sign another quarterback?
Yes. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers signed Mason Rudolph as quarterback. The player already has seven years of NFL experience and, most importantly, knows Mike Tomlin’s system inside and out. This decision by Pittsburgh is a clear message to Rodgers: If you’re not ready to sign with us, we already have a man to replace you.
Who is Mason Rudolph?
Mason Rudolph is 29 years old and is one of the quarterbacks who has not been able to fulfill his potential in the NFL. Because Ben Roethlisberger extended his career, Mike Tomlin never gave him a real opportunity to compete for the starting job.
Although he occasionally replaced Big Ben when he was injured, Tomlin even preferred a player with fewer accolades like Devlin Hodges. Later, when the legend announced his retirement, the team’s front office turned their back on him again, betting on Kenny Pickett.
For that reason, Rudolph decided to try his luck with the Titans in 2024, competing for the starting job with Will Levis. Due to a roster with many weaknesses, that experience was also a disaster, and now he’s returning home. Perhaps, if Rodgers declines, this could be his big opportunity for redemption.