It took longer than many had hoped, but Aaron Rodgers is officially signing a new deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
All indications throughout the offseason pointed toward this outcome. While some fans have questioned whether bringing Rodgers back is the right move, this is the reality now. He likely gives the Steelers their best chance to compete for a playoff spot, though it is also possible the results mirror last season’s outcome.
You can debate Rodgers’ return endlessly, but the reality is that he will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback this season unless injury intervenes for the aging veteran. Meanwhile, the two young quarterbacks behind him on the depth chart, Drew Allar and Will Howard, will likely have to wait longer for their opportunity to start. For now, their role is to learn from the sidelines.
No one on the roster stands to lose more from the Rodgers news than Mason Rudolph.
The veteran quarterback has spent five of his six NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. While he has flashed potential at times, he has largely settled into the role of a dependable backup who can step in when needed. Rodgers was complimentary of Rudolph last season, but this move may have effectively cost him his job.
Pittsburgh Steelers re-signing of Aaron Rodgers puts Mason Rudolph in tough spot
There may still be a few paths for Rudolph to remain on the Steelers’ roster. One option would be Pittsburgh carrying four quarterbacks on its 53-man roster, which is uncommon but not impossible. Head coach Mike McCarthy has indicated he wants at least three quarterbacks on the active roster, along with a reliable option on the practice squad. That's just one potential scenario.
If Rudolph proves to be a better option than Howard or Allar during the preseason, Pittsburgh could choose to carry four quarterbacks on the roster.
With neither Howard nor Allar having an NFL start to their name, the decision could become more complicated. On the other hand, if one of the younger signal-callers outperforms Rudolph and claims the backup role, it could spell trouble for his chances of making the final roster.
Unless something unexpected happens, it appears the Steelers will likely part ways with Rudolph just before the regular season after committing to Rodgers as their starter. That would not necessarily be a worst-case scenario, as the veteran backup could find an opportunity elsewhere around the league.
If not, a reunion on Pittsburgh’s practice squad would remain an option, and that outcome might ultimately work best for the Steelers.
Only time will tell how much Rodgers’ return impacts Rudolph’s job security, but the early signs are not encouraging. Unless last season’s backup can beat the odds and outperform both Howard and Allar, his standing with the team looks shaky at best. From the Steelers’ perspective, the ideal outcome would be keeping him on the practice squad, though that would be a significant demotion.
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