NFL insider explains why the signing of Mason Rudolph is an example of the Steelers playing the long game at quarterback
In case you missed it, Mason Rudolph is back in black. A QB move that you could see coming from a mile away, it's evident that the Pittsburgh Steelers are ok with Mason Rudolph being their starter if plan A falls through. But according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Rudolph is just buying the […]
In case you missed it, Mason Rudolph is back in black.
A QB move that you could see coming from a mile away, it's evident that the Pittsburgh Steelers are ok with Mason Rudolph being their starter if plan A falls through.
But according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Rudolph is just buying the team time…
Mason Rudolph buys Steelers time at QB?
"The Steelers, by virtue of signing Mason Rudolph, bought themselves some time here because now worst-case, if this doesn't work out with Rodgers, you could roll with Mason Rudolph who, let's be honest, over the last several years with all the quarterback changes since Ben Roethlisberger retired, probably the best stretch of football they've played as an offense was down the stretch in 2023 when Mason Rudolph took over," said Pelissro.
The holding pattern that the Steelers are in has to end soon. Aaron Rodgers is on his own time, but the Steelers have until the NFL Draft, which is now only six weeks away, to make a decision.
Sure Rudolph was serviceable during his four-game stint in 2023, and yes he did bring the team back into relevance on a three-game winning streak that produced a playoff appearance.
But Rudolph is not a long-term answer. And in fairness to him, neither is Aaron Rodgers.
If Pittsburgh manages to get one year out of Rodgers or someone else, the team will be happy if it helps them win a Super Bowl while they search for future franchise signal caller.
Mason Rudolph is not that player, however. We have seen QBs like Case Keenum and Blake Bortles go on runs that propelled to them to conference championships, but the Steelers' roster isn't good enough on the margins to prop up a decent QB to championship-level success.
And that's why Aaron Rodgers is such a big deal for the Steelers. Right or wrong, they think he's the one who can take them there, this year, while they still have pillars like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward in, or on the back nine of their prime.
It's why they traded for and gave DK Metcalf the contract they did. They are all in on winning before the next step of their rebuild. And that's why Mason Rudolph should simply be the Steelers' buying time.
