The Pittsburgh Steelers have made headlines this week by re-signing Mason Rudolph to a two-year, $8 million deal, a move that might not be garnering the excitement some fans had hoped for. Yes, the familiarity factor is there, but let’s dive deeper into what this means for the franchise and its fanbase.
With Skylar Thompson being the only quarterback under contract as they stood on the brink of mid-March, the Steelers needed to add some depth. Enter Rudolph, a QB who’s seen both the highs and lows of NFL life. Last season with the Tennessee Titans, his numbers paint a complex picture: a 1-4 record, a 64% completion rate, 1,530 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions. While these statistics indicate some potential, they haven’t comforted a fanbase craving a more significant impact—especially in a league where star power can reshape a franchise’s fortunes.
Reaction on social media has been a mixed bag, to say the least. As one fan put it quite bluntly, “Y’all trying to piss me off today,” clearly expressing frustration with the signing. In a similar vein, another fan claimed they were turning off notifications, while yet another lamented, “what a terrible Thursday.” Support for head coach Mike Tomlin is generally unwavering, but there’s a flavor of discontent creeping in, with murmurs that the QB situation is now on Tomlin’s shoulders more than ever.
Rudolph, drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, played behind the venerable Ben Roethlisberger during the latter stage of Big Ben’s illustrious career. Following Roethlisberger’s retirement, he was thrust into a competition for the backup role, only to lose out to rookie Kenny Pickett, who didn’t have to step back on the field that season. That said, Rudolph has shown he can be a reliable QB when called upon, boasting a 9-8-1 record as a starter and completing 63.7% of his passes, totaling 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns against 20 interceptions over 29 games.
While Rudolph may be positioned as a steady backup, you can’t help but notice the elephant in the room: Aaron Rodgers. The former New York Jets quarterback, who has put up comparable numbers and is arguably one of the biggest equations in this offseason, seems to lurk in the backdrop. With the Steelers believed to be mulling an offer for him, the contrast in potential upside is stark. Rodgers, often a game-changer, could elevate the Steelers to new heights, while Rudolph might ensure they stay afloat—albeit within a more defined ceiling.
As it stands now, Rudolph may not rattle the league, but he brings stability during a period of uncertainty. There’s a potential for wins, but the fanbase remains cautiously optimistic at best. Only time will reveal whether Rudolph is a bridge to bigger plans or simply part of a transitional phase for the Steelers. For fans, the hope is that the franchise isn’t settling, and instead gearing up for something bigger in the near future.
