Potential return of Mason Rudolph to Steelers makes sense for both sides — even if some refuse to see it

Back in February, I reported that Pittsburgh Steelers free agent quarterback Mason Rudolph would test the market but would also consider a return to the Steelers if the team decided to trade or release second-stringer Mitch Trubisky in advance of the draft.

More than a few people told me I was nuts for suggesting that, even though I had it from a source directly tied to the situation.

Welp, it turns out those people were right: I was nuts. Rudolph is likely coming back, and Trubisky didn’t even have to leave in the first place.

Apologies are welcomed through Twitter and email.

There was something funny about the reaction to that initial story. I was getting heat from both sides.

1. I got blowback from people who thought it was silly to suggest Rudolph would ever want to come back with the way he was squeezed out of playing time prior to 2023.

2. I got blowback from people who thought it would be dumb for the Steelers to retain him.

I’m not sure how either side could’ve felt that way, and I hope people have a clearer understanding as to why it made sense then, let alone how much sense it makes now.

From Rudolph’s perspective, he probably fished on the open market and didn’t find a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job. I assume he did not even find a clearcut opportunity to lock down a No.2 role.

Given the dearth of quarterback options in the NFL, I’m a bit surprised by that. I’ve never confused Rudolph for a Pro Bowler during his appearances in the league. But he’s better than some of the junk we’ve seen rolled out near the end of recent regular seasons that have been presented as starting options.

So, why not come back to a city, with a coaching staff, a playbook and a group of teammates that he knows? Why not be the third QB here rather than somewhere else where he is starting over? Especially given that Trubisky’s contract is done after this season.

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If Rudolph bides his time this year, maybe he will enter training camp as a 28-year-old with very little wear-and-tear on his body as the No. 2 next summer.

Provided Rudolph’s signing becomes official soon, and he’s not making an unexpectedly high amount of money against the salary cap, this move also makes all the sense in the world from an organizational standpoint. The Steelers won’t have to waste reps and classroom time on a rookie undrafted QB with limited upside and understanding of the playbook in training camp practices, preseason games and scout team drills.

Rudolph will give a truer read of the offense to new players on the field and will be a better insurance policy if injuries occur to Kenny Pickett and/or Trubisky.

Remember the 2022 San Francisco 49ers. They got down to their third-string quarterback, Brock Purdy, in December. Then even he was hurt in the team’s NFC Championship game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The notion that Rudolph may be pressed into service isn’t outlandish.

We know. We saw that happen here as well with Devlin “Duck” Hodges in 2019 when he and Rudolph split playing time after Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in Week 2.

Obviously, during rookie minicamp, the Steelers didn’t find anyone they liked as much as Hodges as a developmental option. And let’s not forget, even with Hodges’ flash-in-the-pan success, he only lasted that one year in the NFL.

Not that things are going all that bad for ol’ Duck these days.

Lainey Wilson Is Officially Off The Market After Walking The ACM Awards Red Carpet With Her Boyfriend, Former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Duck Hodges https://t.co/jP6oTia5jy pic.twitter.com/YRxlkKKkbG

— David Chapa Music (@DavidChapaMusic) May 12, 2023

Well played, Duck. Well played.

But the point is, Rudolph is a third-string QB with five NFL years and 10 starts under his belt. If he is called into game action, that’ll be a more comfortable feeling for coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan than if undrafted quarterback Tanner Morgan had been thrust into service.

Also, remember that Rudolph looked as sharp in the preseason last year as he ever has. Since that is the most recent football we have of the guy, that’s encouraging.

Furthermore, if a starting quarterback goes down in the preseason now, Khan may feel comfortable floating Trubisky as a trade chip for a nice draft-choice return now that Rudolph is back in the fold.

Or, if some franchise loses their top backup, Rudolph could be immediately spun to that city for a draft asset in 2024. Then Rudolph gets a better opportunity, and the Steelers walk away with a chip they never had.

Yet some folks in Steeler Nation have just decided that they are going to be mad about Rudolph’s return no matter what.

Mason Rudolph has to have nudes or something.

No way Steelers bring him back

— taylor (@ay_taybay) May 15, 2023

I'm officially a Mason Rudolph hater. Bro there's burgers that need flipping, what are we doing?? https://t.co/tMZg5248IQ

— J.J. Lahey ???? Packers Talk (@JJLahey) May 15, 2023

@DeeLovesSports Mason Rudolph is coming back as QB3 pic.twitter.com/JhJENPERp1

— Boss Fox (@BossFox20) May 15, 2023

Mason Rudolph: First QB in history to ever lose a tie. https://t.co/FLN71wnB6R

— ReturnOfBobzilla1001 (@ReBobzilla1001) May 15, 2023

I’ll never understand Tomlins fascination in Mason Rudolph

— 2023 AFC North Champs (@jdog88881) May 15, 2023

To those people, I’d say save your sarcasm and your memes for later in the season in case Trubisky or Rudolph is traded and a guy like Morgan or someone of his ilk is forced under center.

You might need to go back into the archives and bust them out again. Just ask the 49ers.