Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Happy With Mason Rudolph: "You Feel Comfortable"

The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base got quiet for a scare during the Sunday Week 11 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. That moment came when quarterback Aaron Rodgers was forced to sit out the second half due to a left wrist injury. Mason Rudolph stepped in for the Steelers, completing 75% of his passes for 127 yards and one touchdown, helping guide Pittsburgh to a 34-12 victory over the Bengals.

Rodgers is pushing hard to play in Week 12 at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears, the team he dominated for almost two decades with the Green Bay Packers. However, his status for the game remains uncertain, leaving fans and analysts alike waiting for updates on whether he’ll be ready to take the field.

If Rudolph has to start, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said on his podcast Footbahlin that it’s not the worst scenario. While it’s never ideal to have your starter miss a game, Roethlisberger sees Rudolph as a comfortable option and someone who can step in and lead the team if needed, giving Steelers fans a bit of reassurance.

"Mason comes in, and this is why you have Mason," Roethlisberger said while speaking on his podcast Tuesday night. "This is what you want. You want a guy that has been here before, that has been around this system and been around the NFL."

Obviously, Roethlisberger knows Rudolph’s capabilities well. The Steelers drafted Rudolph while Roethlisberger was still playing, hoping he might eventually be able to replace him. 

That never fully panned out, but in key moments, Rudolph has been a hero for the Steelers. He spent the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans and was then invited back to Pittsburgh in the 2025 offseason, signing a two-year deal worth up to $8 million. Roethlisberger believes the Steelers are in good hands with Rudolph while Rodgers heals, if he has to miss time.

"You feel comfortable," Roethlisberger said. "When you have a guy like that—you know, I had it with Byron [Leftwich] and Charlie [Batch] and Bruce [Gradkowski] and [Joshua] Dobbs—you don’t have to change the playbook… like, no, you can run things. People forget about it. The one good thing about Aaron not being here until the last minute is that Mason got all the reps during OTAs, minicamps, and training camp. So these guys know him."

With Week 12 rapidly approaching, the Steelers face an uncertain quarterback situation, but the team has reason to feel confident. Rudolph has already proven he can step in and deliver when called upon, showing poise and efficiency against the Bengals. 

While no team wants to see their starter miss time, Rudolph’s familiarity with the system and his experience with the Steelers gives Pittsburgh a reliable option if Rodgers isn’t ready to play.

Steelers' Offense Is Not In Panic Mode Without Aaron Rodgers

The Steelers’ coaching staff also has the advantage of a quarterback who has been in the building, learned under top talent, and grown within the organization. 

Rudolph’s return to Pittsburgh on a multi-year deal shows the team’s belief in his abilities, and his performance in relief roles has only reinforced that trust. Roethlisberger’s confidence in him adds another layer of reassurance, signaling to fans that the offense isn’t in panic mode. All eyes turn to Rodgers and his wrist injury.

How confident would you feel if Mason Rudolph had to start for the Steelers in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field? Considering the pressure of an away game, the Bears’ defense, and Rudolph’s experience, do you think he could lead the team effectively and keep them competitive? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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