Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky split snaps at QB to open practice week for Steelers

There’s no truth that Mason Rudolph had to reintroduce himself to teammates when he got into the huddle with the first-team offense Wednesday.

But it was the first time in weeks, if not months, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fifth-year quarterback took snaps with the starters, so there was an adjustment period.

“The first play call being back in the huddle and calling plays with the starting offense was fun,” Rudolph said. “I think I shook off the rust relatively quickly. It was a good day.”

Coach Mike Tomlin said a day earlier that Rudolph, who hasn’t taken a snap in a game this season, would share the practice reps with Mitch Trubisky in the event rookie starter Kenny Pickett couldn’t practice while in concussion protocol.

Pickett was a limited participant as the Steelers began on-field work in advance of their game Sunday at Carolina.

True to Tomlin’s word, Rudolph and Trubisky split the reps. They alternated between working with the first-team offense and scout team.

“I don’t know the exact breakdown,” tight end Zach Gentry said, “but they were going back and forth.”

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If that could be construed as a positive sign for Rudolph, given that he has been the clear-cut No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart since losing the No. 2 job in training camp, he is trying to keep an open mind and not get his hopes raised.

“They just said it’s a continual conversation through the week,” Rudolph said. “Obviously there are a lot of variables with concussion protocol and other things. I’ll wait for the word from the head man.”

Rudolph has had experience getting a chance to start yanked from him at the last minute. In 2021, after making an emergency start less than a day after Ben Roethlisberger went on the reserve/covid list, Rudolph took all of the first-team practice reps the next week. On the eve of the game at the Los Angeles Chargers, Roethlisberger flew across the country and was activated in time to start.

“I’ve had experience coming in whether it’s starting the game, coming into the game,” Rudolph said. “Whatever happens, I’ll be ready. I’m prepared for it.”

Pickett has two more chances to practice before the Steelers travel to Carolina. When he entered concussion protocol in Week 6 against Tampa Bay, Pickett was back on the practice field the following Wednesday and got three full days of work in before he started at Miami.

The longer Pickett sits, the more likely Tomlin will turn to one of his backups. Trubisky did not speak with reporters Wednesday.

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Rudolph hadn’t taken significant reps with the first-team offense since training camp, and even then he got few snaps with the starters.

“It was nice. He delivered the ball really well,” Gentry said. “Mason is a super-experienced guy and somebody who has been the quarterback here. We have complete faith in Mitch and Mason, and they both practiced really well.”

Rudolph has tried to maintain a positive attitude since being demoted to third string in training camp despite entering the offseason as the most experienced quarterback on the roster after Roethlisberger’s retirement. It was when the Buccaneers visited Acrisure Stadium in October that he received a pep talk from Tom Moore, the longtime NFL assistant who is a consultant with Tampa Bay.

“He said, ‘Hey, you don’t know when your opportunity is going to come, but you can always be ready for it,’” Rudolph said. “That’s the only thing you can do. That’s the way I’ve tried to approach this year.”

Rudolph was asked whether a start against Carolina would be a reward for the way he has conducted himself this season since his demotion to third string. Rudolph has yet to complain about being inactive on game days and getting few snaps in practice behind Pickett and Trubisky.

“I don’t read into it that much,” he said. “I just hear that the decision has not been made, so I need to prepare like I’m going to be the guy.”

A start against Carolina would represent a homecoming for Rudolph. He was born and raised about 30 miles away in Rock Hill, S.C.

“It would be great to get on the field and play football again,” Rudolph said. “It would be awesome.”