The Steelers finally got their quarterback, as they decided to see what Mason Rudolph can do for a second tour of duty. The expectation is that another quarterback, either Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, will be brought in to start.
I’m here to say that is a massive mistake.
While Rudolph’s contract doesn’t scream starter, he signed for $4 million dollars a year, but he is a known commodity for this team. He spent his first few seasons here after being a third-round pick. Heck, it was only a few seasons ago that he was a part of the fake quarterback competition between him, Kenny Pickett, and Mitch Trubisky.
Following a year in Tennessee, Rudolph is back for another round with the Steelers. With the rest of the team’s options elderly and lackluster, I think Rudolph should be viewed as the starter for 2025.
Mason Rudolph deserves redemption with the Pittsburgh Steelers
While I doubt that Rudolph will turn his career around like we have seen some players do recently, I think Rudolph can succeed in this offense. He has a capable arm and makes decent decisions with he ball.
Arthur Smith’s offense famously asks for the least from his quarterbacks. He wants a strong running game that opens up the passing game. With the weight of the offense, in theory, not on his shoulders, he can hit the easy shots and go deep when the defense allows it.
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In terms of other free agents, I don’t think anyone moves the needle that much more than Rudolph. Rodgers looks washed, and we saw defenses figure him out late in the year.
Rudolph wasn’t perfect last year either, but the entire Titans offense was a mess. Why throw big money at an equally mediocre option? Want to take a dart throw on a Trey Lance? Go for it. Want a mid-round rookie in the room? Wonderful, but beyond that, Rudolph deserves the chance to start.
It is a full circle for Rudolph. The team never gave him a fair shot to start a few years back, and in 2023 he looked great in very limited action as a replacement. Now, he has a chance to show the team and the league that he can be a starter. The Pittsburgh Steelers should go all in on him in 2025.