Mason Rudolph knows the situation he’s in — and he’s not pretending otherwise. With Aaron Rodgers looming as a potential addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback room, Rudolph is navigating the delicate balance of embracing the moment while ignoring the circus. It’s not new territory for the 29-year-old. But this time, he’s operating from a place of confidence, not desperation.
After briefly departing for Tennessee in the offseason, Rudolph is back in Pittsburgh, surrounded by many of the same faces who saw him steady the ship in 2023. And while his return may have flown under the radar amid bigger headlines, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the teammates and coaches who remember what he delivered down the stretch.
With Aaron Rodgers Looming, Rudolph Seizes Moment With the Pittsburgh Steelers
Rudolph opened the Steelers’ first OTA session on May 27 in a spot few expected just a few months ago — atop the quarterback depth chart. With rookie Will Howard and newcomer Skylar Thompson working behind him, Rudolph is once again the lead signal-caller in Pittsburgh. And while Rodgers continues to cast a long shadow over the team’s offseason plans, it’s Rudolph who’s taking the first-team reps, setting the tone, and quietly reminding everyone he’s still very much in the mix.
Back in Black and Gold after a brief stop in Tennessee, Rudolph is navigating familiar territory: Competing amid uncertainty. But unlike past years, this isn’t a scramble for relevance. It’s an earned opportunity — and one he’s clearly determined to make the most of.
“I’ve been a part where you’re jumping on a moving train late in the spring, and you’re also here from the jump,” Rudolph told Steelers media on Tuesday. “I’ve learned to adapt to both, but it’s good to be wanted.”
That comment — subtle as it may seem — speaks volumes. For a quarterback who’s spent most of his career fighting uphill for respect and opportunity, Rudolph isn’t taking his return for granted. Nor is he blind to the irony that while the Steelers hosted Rodgers for a six-hour visit in March, it’s Rudolph who’s currently leading reps at OTAs.
Rudolph Stays Ready as Steelers Weigh Bigger Moves
With all the Rodgers noise around him, Ruodlph’s focus is to stay present.
“Just control what I can control, throw the ball well, lead the guys, and play well when I get the chance to.”
That approach is what’s earned Rudolph respect in the locker room. While fans may debate whether he’s a long-term answer or just a placeholder, there’s little doubt he earned his shot after stepping in late in 2023 and completing 74% of his passes with three touchdowns and zero picks over a three-game stretch that vaulted Pittsburgh into the playoffs. Unfortunately, Rudolph’s first hurdle was the Buffalo Bills, and in typical Steelers fashion, they were eliminated in the Wild Card round.
This 7 yard run by Mason Rudolph on 3rd and 6 in the 2nd QTR reminded me of Big Ben. Mason Rudolph didn’t slide, he put his head down and earned this 1st down the hard way. pic.twitter.com/YtdLjbOFP5
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) December 24, 2023
Rudolph’s new opportunity may be brief — if Rodgers signs, he returns to QB2 — but it’s not meaningless. With Arthur Smith installing a new offense, Rudolph is getting early exposure to a system that leans on mobility, play-action, and decision-making.
“I think it fits me well,” Rudolph said. “When any offense is at its best, you’re running the ball, you’re play-actioning, moving the pocket, changing the launch point … and you’re taking shots to the playmakers.”
So is Rudolph, who now finds himself in a position he rarely held in Pittsburgh — the trusted veteran with a real chance to lead. Whether it lasts through the summer or ends with a future Hall of Famer taking his spot, he’s embracing it.
“There has been constant noise. That is the nature of the NFL,” Rudolph said. “I’ve been used to that for a long time now.”
For now, the Steelers have a quarterback who knows the system, knows the locker room, and knows exactly what’s at stake.