‘Full confidence in him’: Steelers offense professes faith in Mason Rudolph

It might not be surprising that when Diontae Johnson was asked for his opinion of Mason Rudolph, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver expressed confidence in the man who likely will be his starting quarterback Saturday.

But Johnson didn’t stop there. Johnson spoke as if he’s inspired by Rudolph.

“I know it’s probably tough on him,” Johnson said of Rudolph’s demotion to No. 3 QB the past two seasons. “Just seeing him go through that every day and not (complaining), just keeping working, coming to work, still talking to everybody like nothing’s bothering him, that makes me keep going, too.

“It’s like, ‘Man, if he can do it, I can do it.’ Even though certain situations have me feeling some sort of way, I just look at him and that gives me motivation to keep going because his situation is very different than mine. I am (at least) playing, but he’s not. So I can take something and learn from that.”

Diontae Johnson on what new starting QB Mason Rudolph brings pic.twitter.com/qNbgf2P7vY

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 19, 2023

Rudolph is in line for his first start in more than two years when the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday. Coach Mike Tomlin cited a struggling offense during a three-game losing streak in which Mitch Trubisky had been filling in for an injured Kenny Pickett as his justification for turning to Rudolph.

Only three players currently in the locker room have a longer tenure with the Steelers than Rudolph, who has appeared in 18 games and started 10 since he was taken by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 draft.

“He’s been here longer than (Trubisky and Pickett),” running back Najee Harris said, “so he can offer experience.”

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Rudolph was QB3 behind Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Dobbs as a rookie, spent his second season as Roethlisberger’s primary backup and made eight starts and 10 appearances that season after Roethlisberger underwent elbow surgery. Rudolph was the primary backup in 2020 and 2021, too.

But last year after Roethlisberger’s retirement, not only did Rudolph not get promoted to starter, he ended up sliding back on the depth chart to third string behind Pickett and Trubisky.

“Obviously he’s been through a roller coaster of emotions and events since I’ve been here,” tight end Freiermuth said. “He’s handled it great.

“He brings consistency. … Mason’s been here for six years, so he knows what’s going on, he knows what we’re trying to execute. I am excited to see what he can do.”

Mason Rudolph has made 10 career starts.
He's had multiple TD passes 5 times.

Kenny Pickett has made 24 career starts.
He's had multiple TD passes once.

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 18, 2023

Rudolph spent two months as a free agent this spring but ended up coming back to the Steelers knowing he would be QB3. He served as the “emergency” quarterback until being the top backup to Trubisky the past two games after Pickett underwent ankle surgery. Rudolph played the final two series of Saturday’s loss at the Indianapolis Colts after Trubisky threw his second interception of the game.

Tomlin did not completely rule out a Pickett return Saturday, but if that does not happen, Rudolph would make his first start since a Nov. 14, 2021, tie with the Detroit Lions.

“He brings that grit that you’re looking for, that he’s not gonna give up,” Johnson said. “He’s gonna come in and do his job at 100%. I have full confidence in Mason that he’s gonna come in and do his job and get everybody the ball. It’s our job, everybody, to just rally around him.”

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