In a bit of a twist, Mason Rudolph is reportedly returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The backup quarterback is expected to re-sign with the Steelers. According to several reports. Rudolph, 27, remains a free agent for two months.
The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 draft as a backup and replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. Since then, he has played in 17 games for Pittsburgh, including 10 starts. But he won’t win the starting job after Roethlisberger’s 2022 retirement. He didn’t even win the backup role.
The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round in 2022 and signed former Chicago Bears starter Mitchell Trubisky that same offseason. Trubisky won and eventually handed the starting role to Pickett, who would resume the starting job next season.
Rudolph moved down to the third line. He was not happy with this and believed he deserved more first team action in the training camp.
“I think it’s in the rearview now,” Rudolph said after going down last September. In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I would have liked to have had more first team reps, but decisions have been made. I’m moving forward.
“Listen, I’m a much better player than I was from 1st to 5th grade. I am confident and happy with myself when I meet representatives. I will do whatever is asked of me. Other than that, I guess I’ll take the clipboard kindly.”
Now reportedly back, he is expected to be the third-string signal-caller again. Pickett has a shot at a starting role, while Trubisky remains Pittsburgh’s backup. Neither the Steelers nor Rudolph have addressed the reports.
For his career, Rudolph has completed 61.5% of his passes for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Steelers are 5-4-1 in games Rudolph has started.