The Pittsburgh Steelers snuck into the playoffs, but unfortunately, were unable to upset the two seed Buffalo Bills. They lost 31-17 after a series of miscues put them in a deep hole to start the game. As we all turn our attention to the offseason, there are a few heavy topics that the Steelers will look to get answers to sooner rather than later. Those include if Mike Tomlin in fact be back at the head of the team in 2024, as well as what will be the team's plan for the quarterback position?
AP
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is going to have a lot of questions circling around him as he enters 2024 with one year remaining on his contract.
With one year remaining on his current contract, as well as some reports coming out that Tomlin let the players know he will be back in 2024 to coach the team, all of Steeler Nation turns their attention to the quarterback position.
After what was a very impressive four-game stretch for someone who hasn't taken a snap in over a year during the regular season, many players and members of the media have given Mason Rudolph overwhelming support for him to have a chance at a starting role in 2024. Whether or not that opportunity to start takes place in Pittsburgh or not is something that is still up in the air, but he certainly presented a compelling argument for the team to stick around.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (2) runs for a first down as he attempts to keep his team in the game vs. the Buffalo Bills.
In his four starts this season, Rudolph took the team on a three-game win streak at the end of the regular season which helped produce a playoff berth. He then performed decent in the playoff game against the Bills by throwing for over 225 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he also had one costly interception in the end zone which was the result of very poor ball placement.
During that Bills game, future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gave support for Rudolph on his livestream of his Footbahlin podcast, and suggested that Rudolph has earned himself more opportunities going forward.
"I think Mason did a great job coming in the last few games," Roethlisberger said about Rudolph's performance to end the season. "He earned himself a chance to compete either here or get paid somewhere else. We'll see what happens."
Most would agree that the stretch of football Rudolph put together at the end of the 2023 season for the Steelers is the best quarterback play the team has gotten since Roethlisberger hung up his cleats following the 2021 season. Rudolph threw 5 touchdown passes in his four starts, and had two multi-touchdown pass games, which is something 2022 first round pick Kenny Pickett has only done once in his 24 starts.
Steelers Never Gave Mason Rudolph A Fighting Chance
Now, even though Rudolph is a six-year veteran, his performance may have given him an opportunity he has yet to be presented with since being a third round pick in 2018. That would be a real chance at a starting quarterback spot in the NFL.
Since being drafted, Rudolph was the backup to Roethlisberger for four years and was never anticipated to compete for the starting spot. While Rudolph did make eight starts in 2019, that was due to Roethlisberger going down with an early season injury and Rudolph being thrown into the fire. After Roethlisberger's retirement, Rudolph still didn't get a true shot at the starting spot most likely. The Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky in the offseason that year, and spent a first round pick on Pickett, both who would have a leg up on Rudolph based on draft capital or contract size.
AP
Steelers QB Mason Rudolph was never given a fair chance to start because of the investments the team made in Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett.
It was supposedly an open competition for the starting position in 2022, but even though Rudolph arguably performed the best out of the group, he was relegated to the third spot on the depth chart.
Many fans would like to see Rudolph return to the team in 2024 by taking the place of the previously mentioned Trubisky as someone to push Pickett for the starting job next season, but whether or not that happens may not be known for at least a few weeks with the playoffs still going on and the offseason just starting.
Whether or not it is in Pittsburgh, one thing is for certain, Rudolph earned himself another contract with his play to end the season after he appeared to be on his way out of the league during the 2023 offseason.
Do you think the Steelers should re-sign Rudolph to compete for the starting job in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!
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