Mike Tomlin wants Aaron Rodgers to be his quarterback in 2025 and the Pittsburgh Steelers are patiently waiting the four-time NFL MVP to make a decision about his future.
However, the longer the 41-year-old takes to make up his mind, the bigger the risk to miss out on this opportunity. In fact, it appears that Rodgers already is in jeopardy with another star QB declaring interest in the Steelers.
Everyone in Pittsburgh has been respectful of A-Rod’s decision-making process, but that doesn’t mean Tomlin and company sat back and did nothing all these weeks. Earlier in the offseason, the team added insurance at quarterback by bringing back Mason Rudolph.
And according to Pat Freiermuth, the locker room approves this move. During an appearance on the Kaboly + Mack podcast, the Steelers tight end made it clear to Tomlin and the front office that Rudolph has his teammates’ confidence to lead the offense.
Pat Freiermuth #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“As guys on the team, we have all the belief in Mason,” Freiermuth said, via Steeler Nation. “You know he made some big plays when he was here last, winning three straight games to make the playoffs. Whatever happens, happens, but we will see.”
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Tomlin, Steelers count on familiar face if the Rodgers option falls apart
With Rodgers taking his time to give the Steelers an answer, the front office moved fast to fill their QB room with Rudolph, a player who’s very familiar with the organization and Tomlin’s system.
Selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Steelers, the Oklahoma State product spent six years in the Steel City before spending the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans.
Rudolph went 5-3 in his second year while replacing Ben Roethlisberger due to injury, but perhaps his best run as a starter in Pittsburgh came in the 2023 NFL season, when he helped the Steelers make the playoffs with a three-game winning streak in the final stretch of the regular season.
Tomlin still wanted to try something different by landing both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024. Rudolph alternated with Will Levis in Tennessee, starting five games for the struggling Titans last year with 1,530 yards, 9 touchdowns and as many interceptions for a 1-4 record.
Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Freiermuth trusts in Tomlin, Steelers’ front office
Rudolph may not give Steelers’ fans the same kind of hope a quarterback of Rodgers‘ caliber would, but Freiermuth wouldn’t dare to question Tomlin and the front office’s vision.
“I trust Coach [Tomlin], and I trust Omar [Khan], the front office,” Freiermuth said. “Everybody wants to win, everybody wants to get over the hump of not just making it to the playoffs, but finding some success.”
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Freiermuth let everyone know what he thinks about the team’s quarterback situation, with Rodgers receiving a strong, nine-word message from the Steelers star. But if A-Rod doesn’t come to town, Pat will be ready to help Rudolph, or whoever ends up playing under center.
