On Tuesday the Pittsburgh Steelers corrected an originally released depth chart that had shown Mason Rudolph as the back up to Mitchell Trubisky. The new release showed Rudolph as the third string quarterback behind rookie Kenny Pickett. During his Tuesday press conference Mike Tomlin noted the mishap was a 'clerical error', and noted the copy and paste function as the culprit.
Steelers outside linebacker Delontae Scott (No. 50) rushes quarterback Mason Rudolph during a practice last week at Saint Vincent College. Scott, who joined the Steelers 11 months ago and spent most of last season on the practice squad, has gained some attention in training camp. Credit...Chaz Palla/ Tribune-Review
On Wednesday the locker room was open to the media for the first time as the Steelers prepare to face off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday. For a third string quarterback, Rudolph drew quite the crowd. To no one's surprise. He was asked about whether he still wants to remain in Pittsburgh for the season.
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"Those decisions are between my agent, and Omar, and the front office. So, that's..I'm going to leave it to those guys. For now I'm on this team, and I'm going to do the best I can to help the two guys prepare."
Mason Rudolph on if he’d prefer to play somewhere else. #Steelers @937theFan pic.twitter.com/OBFPKCa6tp
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 7, 2022
Rudolph couldn't of answered that question any better, or more professional. It's visible in his voice that he's frustrated, but you have to give him credit for handling himself with the utmost respect for everyone involved.
“I’m a competitor,” Rudolph told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “Anyone who wants to compete wants to be the guy on the field, but those are things I can’t control. I’m going to have a good positive mindset, do what I can to help us win.”
Rudolph had a strong training camp, and preseason by all accounts. He capped off the preseason by leading the Steelers to a come from behind victory against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium. In three games this preseason he finished 26/39 for 220 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.
Rudolph was his thoughts on the preseason competition.
“I think it’s kind of in the rearview mirror now,” Rudolph said. “I would’ve liked to have had more first-team reps, but decisions are made. I’m moving forward.“Listen, I’m a much better player than I was Year 1 to Year 5. I’m confident in myself and happy with myself when I did get the reps. I’m going to do whatever I’m asked to do. Other than that, I guess I’ll just kind of hold the clipboard.”
Rudolph has improved during his tenure with the Steelers. There just hasn't been enough production when he steps onto the field. While it was a last minute notice, Rudolph was given the start at home against the Lions when Ben Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19. The game resulted in a tie that could've cost the Steelers a shot at the playoffs last year. All of the blame for the tie shouldn't go on Rudolph as turnovers late in overtime by Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth ultimately did the Steelers in. But Rudolph had the entire first four quarters to find the end zone more than once and he couldn't do so.
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 10: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
“I thought I played well,” Rudolph said of his preseason performance. “I think I’m going to have a chance to play in this league as a quarterback for a long time. I’m confident in that. I wanted more first-team reps, but anyone who is a competitor would.
Rudolph obviously bothered by the amount of reps he received continued on the subject.
“I think I got much better from last year throwing the ball, understanding [Matt Canada’s] offense where you feel the most ready you’ve ever been. You feel like, hey, I should have more reps, but that’s not the hand I’ve been dealt."
At once it was believed that Rudolph would benefit for knowing Matt Canada's offense, but maybe it hurt him in the long run. He may have received fewer reps because he didn't need to learn it. Ultimately the decisions were already made when the team signed Trubisky, and then drafted Pickett.
Now we will see if the Steelers will force the visibly unhappy Rudolph to stay in Pittsburgh for the entire season.
