4 Steelers that receive unjustified dislike from the fanbase

Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2). Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Steelers Mason Rudolph

There was so much excitement surrounding Mason Rudolph entering the 2019 season after Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the season. Many expected him to set the world on fire and look like a bonafide starter, but he struggled and eventually was rotated in and out with Devlin Hodges. While Rudolph’s game has plenty of flaws (his lack of mobility being a primary concern), he still seems to be developing.

While it was a small sample, his lone start last season against the Browns was a good one. The offense as a whole ran well through him, and he actually made some deep passes, something this offense had been lacking. You also have to consider the fact that Rudolph has never had a running game he can rely on. Anytime he has started, a lot of the pressure fell onto him due to the team not being able to get the ground game going.

Anyone clamoring for him to be cut or demoted this season will be disappointed. His contract extension almost guarantees him the backup job and makes him the favorite to start next season. While he may not be the answer long-term, Rudolph is still developing into a fine backup and seemingly a low-end starter. For a third-round pick, that honestly isn’t that bad. Critiquing his game is fine, but don’t ignore the fact that he has shown consistent improvements in his limited starts.