Just a few weeks ago, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph didn’t know how much longer he would be playing in the NFL. Last offseason, he didn’t exactly receive a ton of interest around the league as a free agent. That ultimately led to his return to Pittsburgh to be the third-string quarterback. Still, as of early December, he hadn’t started a game since 2021. In fact, until this weekend, the only season he's started more than one game was back in 2019.
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Steelers quarterbacks Mason Rudolph (2), Kenny Pickett (8), and Mitch Trubisky (10) participate in drills in training camp in Pittsburgh, PA.
Because of the injury to Kenny Pickett and the struggles of Mitch Trubisky, the 2018 third-round pick got his chance in Week 16. Not only did he get an opportunity, but he seized every moment. It’s what led Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin to name him the starter in Week 17, despite Pickett being ready. When speaking to the media on Friday via ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Rudolph commended Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith for his path of resurgence.
"It's an instant gratification league. I've got a lot of respect for Geno Smith. What a career, what an inspiration to a lot of guys and how he's battled through and stayed aggressive and stayed confident and positive. He got a shot a couple years ago, and look what he's done with it... There's a quick trigger, but that doesn't mean that you can't overcome and sort of come back and make a resurgence."
It’s a situation that Rudolph can refer to when trying to build the confidence that he can still play in this league. Smith did have a little bit higher of a stock coming out of college, as he was the 39th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. On the contrary, Rudolph was selected with the 76th overall pick by the Steelers. While he enjoyed a legendary collegiate career, there were more doubts about his abilities translating to the professional level.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_Photo)
Steelers third-string quarterback, Mason Rudolph (#2) makes a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Smith has been able to revitalize his career with the Seahawks, specifically beginning in 2022. He broke out last season with career highs in passing yards (4,282), completion percentage (69.8%), and total touchdowns (31). The veteran matched his career high on the ground too, where he accumulated 366 rushing yards. In the process, he was able to win Comeback Player of the Year in addition to his first career appearance in the Pro Bowl.
Smith finished ninth in the league's MVP voting and even had to win a quarterback battle against Drew Lock before the season. To get to the point of Smith, Rudolph will have to obviously keep his outstanding play up for longer than just one game. In all reality, he hasn’t consistently shown many signs that he can be a legitimate NFL starter when he’s gotten the opportunity. If he does well these final two weeks though, it’ll be interesting to see how the Steelers handle his situation this upcoming offseason.
Will The Steelers Consider Rudolph For Starting Job In 2024?
He’s only on a one-year deal, but at this point, it feels like a lock that Pittsburgh will bring him back. They will likely save money and move on from Trubisky as well, which will give Rudolph a clear route to at least being the primary backup. There’s a world in which the Steelers hold a competition between Rudolph and Pickett entering the 2023 season. This would be his Geno Smith-esque chance to establish himself as a starter in the NFL.
Matthew Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger (#7) and Mason Rudolph (#2) stand on the field during training camp.
Similar to Smith, Rudolph never truly got a chance in the first few seasons of his career. Unfortunately for him, Ben Roethlisberger stuck around longer than many expected. At that point, Rudolph wasn’t going to unseat a team legend like Roethlisberger. Regardless, Smith is the perfect example of a guy that took advantage of an opportunity late in his career. Rudolph still has a ways to go before he can be compared to Smith, but it's within the realm of possibilities.
Do you trust that Rudolph can sustain the success that he had in Week 16? Should the team have a QB competition entering the 2024 season? How realistic is it for Rudolph to have a Geno Smith-like resurrection? Share your thoughts in the comments below, yinz!
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