In January of 2022, Charlie Batch stated that Mike Tomlin would start the 2022 season with Mason Rudolph as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, although they would bring in an additional quarterback. He didn't think at the time that Tomlin would want to have a rookie as the starting quarterback.
However, his prediction was ahead of the Mitch Trubisky signing and ahead of a draft in which the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett. When the Steelers signed Trubisky and drafted Pickett, it was obvious Mason Rudolph would get the short end of the stick and remain a backup.
At the end of the 2023 season, Mason Rudolph signed with the Tennessee Titans as an unrestricted free agent. Two years later, Mason Rudolph is back and, for now, is the clear front-runner for the Steelers' starting job.
Pittsburgh Steelers could still make Charlie Batch right about Mason Rudolph
While in 2022, Charlie Batch's prediction didn't pan out, he wasn't necessarily wrong. Mitch Trubisky flamed out as the starting quarterback, so the Steelers turned to Kenny Pickett. In 2023, after Pickett's injury, Mike Tomlin finally replaced a failing Mitch Trubisky with Mason Rudolph.
Although Rudolph did not save the Steelers' season, he played well enough to almost lead the Steelers to an underdog victory against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. He kept it a reasonably close game.
After the 2024 season, Mason Rudolph is back with the Steelers. Mainly because by signing Rudolph, they know what they have and what they can expect. The question now is whether the Steelers will start the season with the former third-round pick.
For now, the Steelers have two quarterbacks in addition to Mason Rudolph, those being Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard. There is still a lingering question about whether Aaron Rodgers will be the late addition to the quarterback room. If we are to believe the rumors, then yes, but he has not signed yet. Until that happens, in spring OTAs, Mason will take the starting reps until Rodgers does show up.
Even if the former MVP signs with the Steelers, his age and health become a concern. He missed a full season in New York due to a torn Achilles tendon, and it would be unlikely Rodgers will start all 17 games anyway, even if he does not suffer a season-ending injury.
So, at the end of the day, Rodgers or no Rodgers, Rudolph will have a pivotal role with the Steelers in 2025, as it's more likely than not he will start several games in 2025. How many is the question, but he could end up playing in several games.
Thus, in the end, Charlie Batch could still be right about Mason Rudolph. He just assumed it would be in 2022, not 2025. This will be Mason's year to step up and prove he can play with the big boys; what he does with his chance is anybody's guess.