Steelers' Mason Rudolph Absolutely Better Than Russell Wilson "He's Living On Past Glories"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are approaching a 2024 season in which they don't really know who will start under center once the games count. Kenny Pickett is the only quarterback on Pittsburgh's roster ahead of the official start of the league year, but that is certainly not going to be the case once preseason arrives. While the organization may not be sure of their 2024 starting quarterback, that doesn't mean there haven't been plenty of perspectives and takes on who would be the best fit.

The 2023 season was another campaign in which injuries made it increasingly difficult to know what kind of quarterback the Steelers got when they drafted Pickett. His career stats aren't anything to be impressed by, and it ended up being Mason Rudolph, who turned a disappointing year into a playoff berth. Rudolph may not be back in black and gold in 2024, but if the Steelers had their choice, he would return to Pittsburgh.

Russell Wilson has emerged as a legitimate possibility for the Steelers, especially after a visit to Pittsburgh on Friday. The former Super Bowl winner had some positive talks with the organization, but that doesn't mean everyone would be pleased if Wilson joined Pittsburgh. Scott Ferrall doesn't see Wilson as the answer in Pittsburgh, and on Ferrall Coast to Coast, the radio host put his faith in Rudolph instead.

"Mason Rudolph is better than [Russell Wilson] now. I think he's old, and he's living on past glories, I really do... I think this guy is-- I have no idea what they see, and I still don't know what they see in [Arthur] Smith! I don't see -- I don't know what they're doing in Pittsburgh."

It's one thing to see something positive after Rudolph helped lead the Steelers to a 2023 Wild Card game, but it's something else entirely for Ferrall to believe that Rudolph is a better quarterback than Wilson. No matter what comparison is used, Rudolph simply doesn't stand up beside the former Seattle Seahawks' quarterback. Granted, Ferrall specified that he sees the current version of Wilson as inferior to Rudolph, but that is still a ridiculous take.

In 2023, Rudolph started four games, including playoffs. While his five touchdowns and one interception in those games already proved more productive than Pickett, it wasn't like he lit up the stat sheet. Wilson may be 35 years of age and coming off a less-than-impressive run with the Denver Broncos, but the comparison to Rudolph is still perplexing.

It might make sense if Wilson showed a steep decline, but in 2023, he had 26 passing touchdowns against eight interceptions, which was much better than his 2022 campaign. He also brings over 180 games of NFL experience, which includes playoff wins and a Super Bowl victory in two appearances. No matter how many games Rudolph was backup to Ben Roethlisberger, there isn't a reality where his career and Wilson's should be seen as equal, let alone Rudolph coming out on top.

Steelers Ready To Challenge Pickett

While Pickett may be the lone quarterback in Pittsburgh prior to the league year beginning, that is sure to change. Not only is it a necessary move the Steelers need to make, Omar Khan also made it quite clear that quarterback is a priority for them, as is competition.

When the Steelers invested a first-round draft pick in Pickett during the 2022 NFL Draft, they envisioned a more productive two years from the former University of Pittsburgh quarterback. Pickett has tallied a low 13 touchdowns to go with 13 interceptions, neither of which is impressive. Despite the apparent lack of growth, his pedigree almost demands a third year, but this time it will come with some real competition.

Wilson showed that he was serious about being in the mix for the Steelers when he met on Friday with the decision makers in Pittsburgh, but he isn't the only name being considered. Justin Fields has been linked to the Steelers for some time, and Mike Tomlin's interest in Fields hasn't been a secret. While he may carry a higher asking price, Kirk Cousins isn't out of the question depending on what the he determines regarding his future with the Minnesota Vikings.

As with any NFL offseason, the end result could see any or none of those names wearing the black and gold. Whoever else the Steelers decide would be best in their quarterback room, it will be with the intention of challenging Pickett. He won't be up against Mitch Trubisky this time around, instead, Pickett will have to earn whatever spot he ends up in.

What will Kenny Pickett's role be on the 2024 Steelers? 

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