To no surprise of teammates, Mason Rudolph doesn't skip a beat in return to Steelers QB position

Unlike the end of the 2023 season, Mason Rudolph wasn’t tasked with saving the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season when he stepped on the field Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

All he was asked to do was protect a four-point halftime lead and get the Steelers out of Acrisure Stadium with a victory that would solidify their spot atop the AFC North.

Mission accomplished.

“We have the utmost confidence in him,” running back Jaylen Warren after Rudolph polished off a 34-12 victory. “We have players on all sides and depth at every position. Nothing changes when Mason gets in.”

Rudolph completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards after replacing an injured Aaron Rodgers at halftime. He threw a short touchdown pass to running back Kenny Gainwell, converted 5 of 6 third-down situations and didn’t commit a turnover.

Thanks to Rudolph’s relief effort, the Steelers improved to 6-4 as they prepare for a game this weekend at the 7-3 Chicago Bears. Rodgers had his ailing left wrist examined Monday, and, depending on his status, Rudolph could make his first start of the season when the Steelers venture into Soldier Field.

“He’s won games for us before,” said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, one of the few players on the roster who have a longer association with the Steelers than Rudolph. “It’s not anything different. Some might be surprised. We feel like we have a bunch of quarterbacks that are ready for those moments. Would we like Aaron to be out there? Yes, but we feel very confident when Mason steps on the field.”

Rodgers appeared to injure his wrist as he braced for a fall while being hit on a pass late in the half. After attempting one more pass, Rodgers left the field as the Steelers kicked a field goal that gave them a 10-6 lead.

Rodgers headed to the locker room, and it was during intermission that Rudolph learned he would be starting the second half.

“He gave me the finger and said, ‘Hey, you’re going,’ ” Rudolph said. “Not the bad finger, but the index and said you’re going in.”

Rudolph finished with a 118.5 passer rating that was the third highest of his eight-year NFL career. The only ones higher also came against the Bengals, starts in 2019 (124.6) and 2023 (124.0).

It was in that start two years ago that the Steelers turned to Rudolph with their playoff hopes in tatters. They were 7-7 when Rudolph, then the third-string quarterback, replaced Mitch Trubisky and led the Steelers on a season-ending three-game winning streak. First up was Cincinnati, and Rudolph opened the game with an 86-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens and later found Pickens for a 66-yard score that fueled a 34-11 win.

“Lots of guys on that team are still here,” wide receiver Calvin Austin said. “With Mason, there’s no blinking. In the past, there may have been, but with Mason, it’s like, ‘OK, let’s go.’ ”

With the Steelers remaking their quarterback room that offseason and Rudolph a free agent, he signed a contract with Tennessee to be a backup. He made five starts, going 1-4 with an equal number of touchdown passes (9) to interceptions.

“I really was thankful for the opportunity that I had last year in Tennessee, the way things worked out, to get a different perspective on football,” Rudolph said. “But coming back here, just so much comfortability from the people that you see in the tunnel that work the security, the friendly faces there on the field … it really feels like home.”

When Rudolph’s name was announced on the public address system in the third quarter, he received a loud cheer from the paid crowd of 66,132.

“I know he’s well-loved here,” Austin said. “He’s done a lot of good things for the community and as a player.”

Rudolph endeared himself to teammates in 2023 when he re-signed with the Steelers as the No. 3 quarterback and handled his situation amid no promises of playing time. He returned this offseason, signing a two-year deal knowing the Steelers would be bringing in a veteran starter.

Rudolph worked with the first-team offense in organized team activities and minicamp before ceding the top spot to Rodgers in training camp. Coach Mike Tomlin said the playbook wasn’t altered significantly for the second half after Rudolph entered the game.

“No, Mason has played a lot of football in this league,” he said. “We might lean to things that are more in his wheelhouse, but it wasn’t because of a lack of play.”

Or preparation. Austin talked of Rudolph’s willingness to stay after practice to help starting and practice squad wide receivers alike get additional reps.

“The coolest thing about him is he’s still involved,” Austin said. “He will do a walk-through with some guys. He took the role he was in and made the most of it and continued to be ready. … What he did is no surprise.”