Fittipaldo: Steelers Rallying Around Surging Mason Rudolph Because "He Has A Lot Of Friends In That Locker Room"

The Pittsburgh Steelers put Mason Rudolph in place as the starter for the first time since 2021. With their season on the line, he played exceptionally well against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. He played some of the best football of his career to help the team win 34-11. He earned the right to start the next contest against the Seattle Seahawks and delivered again to help Pittsburgh stay in the tight AFC playoff picture. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo thinks that how Rudolph has built relationships in the locker room has helped the team rally around him and allowed him to have two of the biggest performances he's ever had as a pro. 

Fittipaldo joined The PM Team w/Poni and Mueller on Thursday afternoon, and while breaking down the Steelers' all-important Week 18 showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, got into some of what he thinks has allowed Rudolph to be successful in this two-game run. While a significant factor has just been his attitude as a professional to keep studying and learning as he's sat on the bench or ran the scout team waiting for an opportunity, Fittipaldo said his personality and the way he gets along with everyone is a big factor. 

"He has a lot of friends in that locker room and he said he’d be a bad guy if he didn’t after six years. That’s true to a certain extent, but there’s been so much turnover in that locker room since Omar [Khan] came on and he does a really good job of that. He has friends on offense. He has friends on defense."

The veteran reporter said he hasn't let any outside noise about the perceived "diva receivers" of Diontae Johnson or George Pickens get in his way. Rudolph, unlike Kenny Pickett or Mitch Trubisky for the most part, has been able to unleash some deep balls, and Pickens has been a big recipient. Since Rudolph took over in Week 16 as the starting quarterback, Pickens has had 326 yards receiving in two games, with touchdown receptions of 86 and 66 yards. Pickens praised the 28-year-old's ability to find him on those plays that have helped the Steelers' offense look more dynamic than it has all season.

Johnson hasn't been forgotten. He's gotten nine targets with six receptions for 91 yards recently. The route-running savant may be playing second fiddle to the deep threat of Pickens, but still plays a crucial part in the offense. He is still helping out the quarterback by being in the right place, especially on third down.  

Steelers Want To Play For Good Guy Rudolph

It's natural to be supportive of someone you feel shows the same. Fittipaldo said that feels a lot like what is happening here with the Steelers. Rudolph has been a good solider, biding his time until he got another chance to prove himself after it felt like the Steelers were doing anything and everything to push him down the depth chart. 

Fittipaldo said that for a quarterback, half the battle is getting your teammates to believe that you have their back. Once that happens, and they have that confidence, it's easy to want to play for them. 

This is not to say that Pickett or Trubisky are bad teammates, but it's clear that players in the Steelers' locker room want to give everything they've got to help Rudolph while he gets his shot to prove the organization was wrong for leaving him on the bench for so long. Even if he likes to mess with some of them, the locker room seems to have rallied around Rudolph. He'll get another chance to reward their faith in him by winning against the Ravens on Saturday.

Are you surprised to hear Rudolph is so well-liked in the locker room? Comment below!

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