The Pittsburgh Steelers’ active offseason continues as OTA workouts began last week, and it’s still without Aaron Rodgers. The conclusion of the Rodgers saga remains in question, and if US President Donald Trump is to be believed, the Steelers don’t need the four-time NFL MVP and already have “a really good quarterback” on their roster.
President Donald Trump Suggests Steelers Already Have a Starting QB
Pittsburgh fought to a 10-7 record and a Wild Card berth in 2024 despite pedestrian play from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson missed the first six games with a calf injury, and Fields led the team to a 4-2 start, throwing for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception before being relegated to 13 plays the rest of the regular season.
Wilson took over and got Pittsburgh to a 10-3 record before fading down the stretch. He threw for 2,482 yards, 16 scores, and five interceptions.
Both the QBs departed in free agency, and the Steelers now have Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson on their roster if Rodgers doesn’t sign. So, who does President Trump think can start for the Steelers in 2025?
“I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,” Trump said at a rally in Pittsburgh on Friday. “I think he’s going to get a big shot. He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s got a great arm. I have a feeling he’s going to be the guy, so Mason Rudolph, come up here.”
TRENDING: President Donald Trump introduces the “handsome” #Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph at a rally in Pittsburgh.
“I think he’s gonna get a big shot. He’s tall. He’s handsome. Got a great arm. I’ve got a feeling he’s gonna be the guy.“ pic.twitter.com/62GaSUKHBa
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 30, 2025
Rudolph smiled at the high praise and took the stage before giving Trump a firm handshake. While Pittsburgh awaits clarity on Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2025, though some competition from Howard is expected.
Rudolph is a former third-round pick who was originally believed to be the successor of Steelers’ legendary QB Ben Roethlisberger. His big chance to do so came in 2019, when he started eight games for the black and gold.
However, his 1,765 passing yards and 13-9 TD-INT ratio failed to leave a good impression. The results of Rudolph’s play led the Steelers to an 8-8 finish, keeping Mike Tomlin’s undefeated season record alive but falling short of the postseason.
Now, Rudolph gets another stab at being the man at the helm for Tomlin. Regardless of whether another QB enters the equation, the 29-year-old is ecstatic about his redemption opportunity.
“I just think it’s a special place,” Rudolph said. “You know, I’ve got a lot of great friends and teammates here, a lot of comfortability with (head coach) Mike T(omlin) and the staff, and (general manager) Omar (Khan) put together a great roster. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this team and this offense?”
That redemption, however, would only come if Rodgers retires or, at least, he doesn’t sign with the Steelers. For now, Pittsburgh remains stuck in limbo — waiting for Rodgers, absorbing criticism, and still without a clear long-term plan at quarterback.