The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 season didn't have too many bright spots, but the play of Mason Rudolph down the stretch was certainly one that stood out. After the combination of Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky had the Steelers teetering on the edge of Mike Tomlin's first losing season, Pittsburgh turned to Rudolph, who answered the call. According to a former NFL general manager, it was Rudolph's demolishing of the University of Pittsburgh that may have been the turning point that brought the quarterback to the Steelers.
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Quarterback Mason Rudolph warms up prior to a Pittsburgh Steelers' game.
Rudolph played four years at Oklahoma State in college, during which he showed a knack for deep balls and avoiding turnovers. Pittsburgh selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, hoping to find the successor to Ben Roethlisberger. Randy Mueller, former general manager for the Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints, was on the Football GM podcast, and he shared his experience watching Rudolph in person at a 2017 college game at then-Heinz Field.
"To my left, the whole day and we had lunch together, and we'd been buddies for years, was Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' GM. And that day, Mason Rudolph put on a show that I thought I was watching Warren Moon dropping bombs down smokestacks. I mean, he had 300 yards at halftime. This kid was incredible. He was all over the place, and just in our discussions during the day, Kevin Colbert...at the end of the day, I remember getting on the airplane that night thinking, 'I wonder if the Steelers will be on this guy now,' because at the time, they were looking."
Rudolph ended up throwing for nearly 500 yards and five touchdowns in a 59-21 drubbing of Pitt. Despite Rudolph's high-flying collegiate career and his similarities to Roethlisberger, the plan for him to follow in Roethlisberger's footsteps didn't pan out how the franchise hoped. Roethlisberger never took kindly to Pittsburgh's selection of Rudolph, especially after the team traded up in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft to get him.
After waiting behind Roethlisberger from 2019 until the future Hall of Fame quarterback retired following the 2021 season, Rudolph believed his opportunity had arrived. Those hopes were short-lived as the Steelers made it quite clear that the front office didn't trust Rudolph under center without some competition.
Trubisky arrived in free agency, and Pickett became the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Rudolph didn't play a single game for the Steelers during the 2022 campaign.2023 seemed to be just as disappointing for Rudolph as the years prior had been, but a late-season injury to Pickett and a lack of competent play from Trubisky had Rudolph thrust into the spotlight.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph looks downfield prior to throwing a pass
The former Oklahoma State quarterback led the Steelers to three consecutive victories to close out the 2023 campaign, sending Pittsburgh to a Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills. While the Steelers lost that postseason matchup, the series of performances was enough to get Rudolph a new contract with the Tennessee Titans during the 2024 offseason.
Steelers Ready For Real Quarterback Competition
The supposed competition between Rudolph, Trubisky, and Pickett during the Steelers' 2022 training camp was a sham at best. However, with a quarterback room completely rebuilt from the ground up, including new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, 2024 will provide some legitimate quarterback battles during practices. Russell Wilson will go into Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp as the starter, but Justin Fields has made it clear that he is ready to compete.
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Justin Fields extends a play with his legs as quarterback for the Chicago Bears
After the Matt Canada era produced the worst offensive years the franchise has seen, Wilson and Fields will have plenty of weapons and support surrounding them in order to succeed. Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier are the newest additions to the upgraded, stronger offensive line, eager to open holes for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
Pittsburgh has been in quarterback limbo for several seasons after Roethlisberger's retirement, but after an impressive 2024 offseason, the Steelers have done enough to bring confidence back into the locker room. Whether it ends up being Wilson or Fields, the Steelers are ready to get back to competing amongst the elite NFL teams again.
Which quarterback do you want to start the 2024 season for the Steelers?
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