Mason Rudolph Was Repeatedly Abused By Steelers Organization: "Was He Ever Given A Fair Shot? No"

For every season aside from one since the Pittsburgh Steelers selected quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he has been a polarizing figure in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for Rudolph, he entered a unique situation with aging veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger still leading the franchise. At the time, Roethlisberger made it clear he felt the pick could have been used on a weapon to help improve the roster during the final stages of his career. While he never appeared to have personal issues with Rudolph, the situation created an awkward dynamic from the start. Either way, their history remains complex, and Rudolph still finds himself in the Steelers quarterback room heading into the 2026 season.

As Pittsburgh continues to wait on Aaron Rodgers’ decision, all eyes remain on the quarterback position to see how things ultimately play out. Rudolph remains the familiar veteran presence in the room alongside young quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard. Throughout the years, the debate has continued surrounding whether Rudolph has ever truly been given a fair opportunity in Pittsburgh. Under former offensive coordinators and Head Coach Mike Tomlin, Rudolph posted an 8-5-1 record as a starter, yet he has rarely entered a season viewed as the clear answer at quarterback.

Whether Rodgers ultimately signs with Pittsburgh or not, it feels increasingly likely Rudolph will still be needed at some point during the 2026 season. That reality has only added more fuel to the ongoing discussion about how the Steelers have handled him throughout his career. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac recently added to that conversation via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, stating he believes Rudolph has never truly been given a fair chance to establish himself as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback.

"He is a great teammate, a very good quarterback and a great person," Dulac said while speaking about Rudolph. "A pro's pro. Was he ever given a fair shot? No, especially after the way they would talk him up in the offseason, profess to be comfortable and have confidence in him, then make moves that would suggest otherwise."

While some fans have viewed Rudolph as nothing more than a backup option, others have continued to argue the organization never truly gave him a legitimate opportunity to prove himself as the team’s long-term answer under center. That debate has started to heat up again following recent comments circulating online about Rudolph’s time in Pittsburgh. The fact this debate is still being talked about is telling of the current situation the Steelers are in at QB.

It is no secret that Rudolph has stepped in and delivered some memorable moments for the Steelers throughout his career. However, arguing that he has never been given a fair chance is starting to feel like a stretch in the eyes of many Steelers fans on the other side of the debate. Rudolph has been a veteran presence in what has often been a non-competitive quarterback room for several seasons now, yet he has still failed to fully claim the starting job. He has received more opportunities than many backup quarterbacks and former third-round picks around the league ever get, making it difficult for some to place the blame entirely on the organization.

Steelers Have Had A Weird Situation At QB Ever Since Roethlisberger Retired

At the same time, the continued conversation surrounding Rudolph shows just how uncertain Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation has been since Roethlisberger retired. Every offseason seems to bring another debate about who should lead the franchise moving forward, and Rudolph’s name consistently finds its way back into the discussion. 

Still, the NFL is ultimately a results-driven league, especially at quarterback. Fair or unfair, franchise quarterbacks eventually force teams to fully commit to them, and Rudolph has never quite been able to create that separation. 

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