Mark Madden: Steelers QB drama has plenty of subplots, no leading man

Aside from waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind as he indulges his endless narcissism, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback debacle has some interesting sidebars.

Why would Mason Rudolph come back to Pittsburgh?

Rudolph had a queasy six years with the Steelers before spending last season with the Tennessee Titans.

Ben Roethlisberger bristled when the Steelers drafted Rudolph in 2018’s third round.

Rudolph did OK when called upon, going 8-4-1. He did his best work at the end of the 2023 season, winning three straight games to squeak the Steelers into the playoffs. But the Steelers let Rudolph walk.

Now Rudolph is back despite never really getting a fair shot during his prior tenure. He never had Mike Tomlin’s belief.

Did Rudolph have no other employment options, or is he stupid?

Justin Fields decided to go to the New York Jets because new Jets coach Aaron Glenn is “passionate.”

Wait, I thought everybody wanted to play for Coach T. What about Tomlin’s passion? Fields’ praise of Glenn is hardly an endorsement of Tomlin.

Fields definitely made the right choice.

Fields chose fresh over stale. Modern over outdated. Trust over suspicion.

Fields chose a chance to be Lamar Jackson Lite, not a no-risk robot.

Fields would have been the most exciting option at quarterback, and affordable at $20 million per season.

Now, Rudolph shapes up as more intriguing than the idea of signing Rodgers or recycling Russell Wilson.

Rudolph is 29, in what passes for his prime and won’t turn to dust.

With Rodgers or Wilson, it’s just waiting for injury to occur. Like Rodgers getting hurt in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Wilson on the first day of last year’s training camp.

In the meantime, let’s remind ourselves that the Steelers have mangled the quarterback position for years.

Roethlisberger quit after the 2021 season.

The Steelers erred badly by drafting Kenny Pickett in 2022’s first round when no other team would have. Pickett fizzled, and the Steelers still don’t know who their long-term quarterback is. Pickett’s failure set the Steelers back four to five years.

Contrary to what some say, Rodgers isn’t obliterating the Steelers’ dignity by making them wait.

The Steelers shredded their own credibility by not having a succession plan in place at quarterback even before Roethlisberger retired.

The wheels should have started turning when Roethlisberger popped his elbow in the second game of the 2019 season. (The Steelers should have tanked that campaign and drafted Justin Herbert. Instead, they traded their first-round pick for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and stumbled to 8-8. Fitzpatrick has yet to win a playoff game.)

When Tomlin got the Steelers’ coaching job, he inherited Roethlisberger.

Tomlin never had to get and develop a top quarterback till Roethlisberger finished his tenure. Tomlin has failed in the attempt ever since. It’s fair to wonder if he can do it.

Tomlin wants Rodgers because Tomlin’s profile is eroding. Criticism is mounting. Rodgers is a quick fix in terms of optics.

Tomlin can see the headline now: “Hall of Fame quarterback joins Hall of Fame coach.”

Tomlin will wait as long as he has to for that.

Thus concludes another excruciating column on the Steelers’ quarterback conundrum.