The Pittsburgh Steelers are caught in a quarterback dilemma, and it’s got everyone from legends to analysts weighing in. Terry Bradshaw, a Steelers icon, went viral when he called the team’s interest in Aaron Rodgers “a joke,” but former cornerback and two-time Super Bowl champ Bryant McFadden isn’t buying it. “I disagree with the Hall of Famer,” McFadden said on CBS Sports HQ, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. “I disagree with the Steeler alum and here’s why. Aaron Rodgers, right now…he is a better quarterback option than Mason Rudolph. That’s the facts. I know Aaron Rodgers is at the end of his Hall of Fame career, but right now, he is a better QB option than Mason Rudolph.” It’s a bold take, especially considering McFadden’s been critical of Rodgers remaining unsigned through OTAs, but it’s hard to argue with the resume. Rodgers, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, brings a level of experience and skill that Rudolph, a career backup, just can’t match.
Let’s break it down. Rudolph’s been a starter 18 times since 2018, going 9-8-1, with his most recent stint in Tennessee yielding nine touchdowns and nine interceptions over five starts and eight appearances. Not bad, but not exactly setting the world on fire. Rodgers, on the other hand, despite a torn Achilles in 2023 and a rocky 2024 with the Jets, still finished last season ranked 28th in adjusted QBR (48.0) and tied for seventh with 28 passing scores. Sure, he’s 41 and coming off a tough year, but his ceiling is miles above Rudolph’s floor. McFadden’s point is that even if Rodgers isn’t the Rodgers of old, he’s still a better bet than Rudolph, who’s more of a stopgap than a long-term solution.
Head coach Mike Tomlin might be “fine” with Rudolph as QB1, but history suggests otherwise. Rudolph’s been a Band-Aid before, and the Steelers have spent offseasons searching for upgrades. Bradshaw’s opinion won’t stop Tomlin from welcoming Rodgers with open arms if he signs, and that’s telling. It shows the Steelers are aligned with McFadden’s view that Rudolph is a short-term fix, not a franchise answer. For now, though, it’s Rudolph under center, but with Rodgers still out there, the drama’s far from over. The Steelers need a quarterback, and while Rudolph’s solid, Rodgers represents a chance to swing for the fences. It’s a risk, sure, but in a league where quarterbacks make or break teams, it might just be worth it. Stay tuned, because this story’s got legs, and the Steelers’ quarterback room is the stage.
