QB Mason Rudolph on return to Steelers as potential starter: 'It's good to feel wanted'

It’s not lost on Mason Rudolph that he’s no longer an afterthought to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Two years ago, Rudolph was a free agent for two months without any job offers before he accepted a one-year deal to be the team’s third-string quarterback. Last year, despite Rudolph winning the final three games of the 2023 season, the Steelers prioritized adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Those moves led to Rudolph leaving the organization that drafted him in 2018.

This year, when free agency began, the Steelers acted swiftly to bring Rudolph back to Pittsburgh, signing him to a two-year contract.

“I’ve been a part where you’re jumping on a moving train late in the spring, and you’re also here from the jump,” Rudolph said Tuesday. “I’ve learned to adapt to both, but it’s good to be wanted.”

The Steelers re-signed Rudolph with the intent of having him serve as the backup. But the longer that the main object of the franchise’s affection, former Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers, remains unsigned, the more of an opportunity Rudolph will get to play with the first team.

The most experienced of the three quarterbacks under contract, Rudolph took the first-team reps on the first day of organized team activities Tuesday. He figures to continue in that role until Rodgers comes aboard.

Rudolph, though, takes nothing for granted. He didn’t hesitate when asked how he plans to handle this latest opportunity to take meaningful snaps for the Steelers.

“Same way as I always have,” he said. “Just control what I can control, throw the ball well, lead the guys and play well when I get the chance to.”

Rudolph has seen virtually everything as he enters his eighth NFL season. It took a season-ending injury to Ben Roethlisberger for Rudolph to make eight starts in 2019 while losing his job to “Duck” Hodges in the process.

He didn’t play a single snap in 2022 while sitting behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, then he was tasked with rescuing the team’s season in 2023, which he did by engineering a three-game winning streak that helped the Steelers reach the postseason.

He was cast aside in favor of Wilson and Fields last year, so Rudolph isn’t about to get caught up in the inner workings of the Rodgers saga.

“That’s nothing new to me,” he said. “There has been constant noise. That is the nature of the NFL. I have been used to that for a long time now. I’ll do nothing but be the best I can be and help our team get better this spring.”

Rudolph left for Tennessee in 2024 less than two months after Arthur Smith was hired as Steelers offensive coordinator. Upon returning, Rudolph has taken time to get familiar with Smith’s concepts and what will be asked of the offense.

“I think it fits me well,” he said. “When any offense is at its best, you’re running the ball, you’re play-actioning, moving the pocket, changing the launch point for the offensive line. And you’re taking shots to the playmakers, and we have plenty of those.”

His last point is debatable, considering the Steelers traded George Pickens to Dallas, leaving newcomer DK Metcalf as the only proven playmaker among the receiving corps. Metcalf was not on hand for the first day of OTAs, but Rudolph said the duo worked on the practice fields together during the first two phases of the offseason workout program.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete,” Rudolph said. “We all knew that from watching the tape and watching him from across the league. Just his wanting to learn and his questions — he’s very inquisitive, very intelligent and articulate. That was big time. He’s a low-ego guy. He’s been paid a lot, and he’s very successful but he’s very hungry to improve.”

Much like Rudolph, whose return has been embraced by the those who played with him in 2023 when he completed 74% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions down the stretch.

“Two years ago, we need to win three games in a row to make the playoffs, and he stood in the pocket and delivered for us,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “We have all the faith in him … He’s always been consistent in who he is. He has a hell of an opportunity now.”

One that Rudolph is determined to take advantage of, even if it lasts only until Rodgers accepts the Steelers’ contract offer and joins the team. Whenever that may be.

Rudolph isn’t looking too far ahead.

“It’s great to be back,” Rudolph said. “I’m excited. There are a lot of familiar faces. I don’t have to make any handshakes here. I know most of the media. We have eight more of these practices. I’m looking forward to it.”