Steelers' 2023 Hero Mason Rudolph Could See The Field Again As He Makes Noise During Titans Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room ahead of the 2024 season is full of new faces. In fact, they didn't return a single player that was in the room during the 2023 season. Kenny Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, Mitch Trubisky signed with the Buffalo Bills after being released, and Mason Rudolph signed with the Tennessee Titans after toying with the idea of coming back to Pittsburgh. Rudolph isn't set to start for the Titans, but that hasn't stopped him from outperforming every quarterback on the roster.

Rudolph's best moments as a Steelers QB came during the 2023 season. In his previous five seasons, his starts were dreaded by the fan base. He was once thought to be the successor to Ben Roethlisberger, but shortly after he arrived in Pittsburgh, it became clear that wouldn't be the case. He ended his time in the black and gold on a high note, and he now joins the Titans where he was believed to be fighting for the backup job. Malik Willis is the other candidate, but according to beat reporter Jim Wyatt, Rudolph may have the job locked up.

"So far, Rudolph hasn't left a crack in the door for Willis to pass him. The veteran quarterback has been remarkably accurate in the first seven practices of training camp, and he looks poised to win the back-up job."

Rudolph has the benefit of experience over Willis. Willis was a part of Pickett's draft class, and has essentially squandered every opportunity he has been given. He has yet to throw a touchdown in his NFL career, and has started just three games. His athleticism keeps his potential fairly high, but so far, he has proven he can't be an effective starter at the NFL level - which is a big reason Rudolph has been able to blow him out of the water.

Rudolph won't have a chance to win the starting job in Tennessee, as they have a promising second-year quarterback in Will Levis. He is kind of in the same boat that Pickett was in heading into 2023, where he showed some flashes during his rookie year, but still has a lot to prove. Rudolph has seemingly been one of the better quarterbacks in training camp, as Wyatt broke down his statistics throwing the ball so far.

"Unofficially, Rudolph has completed 64-of-76 passes in team and 7-on-7 drills combined – that's a completion percentage of 84.2 percent. Rudolph has thrown one interception, on a pass where there looked to be miscommunication with the receiver. I have Rudolph 42-of-49 in team drills, which is 85.7 percent, and 22-of-27 in 7-on-7 drills, which is 81.5 percent. Rudolph's completion percentages are the highest of all three of the team's quarterbacks."

Keep in mind that training camp stats mean nothing, poor calculations can be made and the quarterback can't be touched. However, Rudolph has certainly passed the eye test. He is giving his receivers a chance to make a play with the ball in their hands, which is all you can ask for from a quarterback. If Levis can't carry some momentum into his second year, Rudolph may be looking at another chance to start in the NFL.

Steelers' Former Quarterbacks Having Different Experiences In First Camps Away From The Organization

Rudolph is excelling in Tennessee, but the same can't be said for Pickett with the Eagles. He has reportedly struggled while taking snaps with the second team, and there has been some efforts made to give Tanner McKee some time to play with the second unit. McKee has never played in an NFL game. Pickett is looking at potentially being the third quarterback on the Eagles roster to start the 2024 season, which is a bit ironic after he left Pittsburgh refusing to participate in a quarterback competition. 

What do you think about Rudolph excelling in Tennessee? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation