Pittsburgh Steelers insider, Mark Kaboly, who has been a senior writer for The Athletic since 2017, joined the 93.7 PM Team with Poni & Mueller Thursday afternoon to discuss the Steelers number one story heading into training camp: the quarterback competition between free agent signee, Mitch Trubisky and rookie first rounder, Kenny Pickett. He had some interesting thoughts on the quarterback room including the often-overlooked incumbent, Mason Rudolph.
“Mason Rudolph is still lingering there,” Kaboly states. “I just worry at times, even though what the history says, would they be more comfortable having Mason as the number two guy rather than Kenny to start the season off.”
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph takes a snap on Day 5 of OTA's. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Rudolph has been with the Steelers for three seasons and is 5-4-1 as a starter, however at this point in the offseason, I do not think any Steelers fan would be thrilled if Rudolph is somehow the number two quarterback ahead of Pickett and behind Trubisky. Andrew Fillipponi, the co-host of the radio program and one of Pickett’s strongest supporters via his Twitter account @ThePoniExpress asked Kaboly:
“You think it is 50/50 that Rudolph could be their backup quarterback in Cincinnati?”
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Chris Oladokun, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky participate in phase two of the voluntary offseason workout program, Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Athletic reporter couches his reply, I think due to his knowledge of Fillipponi’s strong feelings on the matter:
“He could be. It all depends on what Pickett does. Rudolph, they can’t trade him. Maybe they can’t get anything for him. You’re going to keep him around just for emergencies. Do you want Kenny Pickett coming off a rookie camp good or not? Do you want him to come in and be the backup like Ben Roethlisberger [was]? Or do you want Mason, who can get you through a game in Cincinnati probably better than Pickett for two or three quarters, and then switch it the next week?”
His point is well taken, but from the fan base's perspective, probably the worst possible scenario. I harbor no ill will towards Rudolph personally, but the second coming of Mike Tomczak is not exactly what I was hoping for out of the 2022 season. I am Team Trubisky for 2022, but I would rather see Chris Oladukon under center than Rudolph. It is best for both parties if they part ways.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Chris Oladokun (5) participates in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) Thursday May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
“If Rudolph produces well in the preseason, you should be able to get a fifth round pick out of someone for him, and I don’t think they would hesitate to do that,” Kaboly admits.
In a normal preseason, based on his previous production, other teams might be willing to take a flyer on Rudolph as a backup. However, with Jimmy Garoppolo still on the trade market and Baker Mayfield having to eat salary and fetching only a conditional 2024 fourth or fifth round draft pick, the Steelers options are extremely limited. Rudolph is relatively cheap at $3 million dollars, but barring a catastrophic injury, if he remains on the team, it should be in street clothes.
The outspoken 93.7 radio host, who was probably apoplectic at this point, avoids some of his usual histrionics and keeps his composure with a keen observation that is shared by the majority of Steelers fans. I have been critical of Fillipponi in the past, but I do believe this is on the mark:
"If they can’t trade him and he still is ahead of Pickett on the depth chart when that Cincinnati game rolls around, I understand what you said about the rationale. I would say that is a very worrying sign for how Kenny Pickett’s first training camp and preseason went."
Kaboly, who has covered the Steelers since 2002, and is the President of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America responded:
"He would have to struggle in training camp and preseason games where they didn’t want to set him back in that regard. I don’t know, Kenny Pickett is also a pretty mature guy. Maybe he can handle what they want to see in Cincinnati, just look back at the last 20 years. They wait three, four, five weeks or 11 like with Lamar Jackson before they put those guys in."
Pickett being the only quarterback who was selected during the 2022 NFL Draft in the first round is an unusual case and the comparison to Jackson, who the Baltimore Ravens selected in the 2018 NFL Draft with the final pick of the first round, is astute. The Steelers, like the Ravens, have a veteran quarterback who is expected to play at a competent level. Trubisky does not have the pedigree of Joe Flacco, but he is a playoff tested quarterback with a winning record in 50 career NFL starts.
The Steelers are known for their loyalty and treating players well, but Rudolph just does not have a signature moment in 10 career starts that is positive. I will not rehash at length what he is known for, but when your career highlights start with by being knocked unconscious against the Ravens and an ugly brawl with the Cleveland Browns, it is time for a change. Rudolph is only 27 and, in the NFL, backups can have long careers and I certainly hope that he has one, but it should not be in Pittsburgh.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you want to see Rudolph as the backup? Or is it time for him to move on? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
