Steelers' Mason Rudolph's Mike McCarthy Comments Ignite Firestorm Of Shade Toward Mike Tomlin

When former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and former general manager Kevin Colbert selected quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the expectation was that he would develop behind veteran Ben Roethlisberger as the future of the franchise. Roethlisberger, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in Steelers history alongside Terry Bradshaw, was nearing the end of his career at the time.

However, the way Pittsburgh managed the transition away from Roethlisberger’s prime is part of why the franchise still finds itself without a true long-term answer at quarterback heading into the 2026 season. Rudolph remains on the roster, but he is viewed primarily as a backup option rather than a foundational piece moving forward. 

Now the Steelers are evaluating younger options in Will Howard and Drew Allar, both of whom are competing for development snaps in Mike McCarthy’s system. McCarthy, entering his 19th season as an NFL head coach in 2026, brings a long track record of working with and developing quarterbacks, something the Steelers are hoping to lean on during this transition.

That context is what makes Rudolph’s recent comments to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stand out, as they have been interpreted by some as subtly critical of the Tomlin era and how quarterback development was handled in Pittsburgh.

"I think he’s a great fit for any quarterback," Rudolph said after working with McCarthy during OTAs and minicamp. "I’m excited about an offense with a guy that’s notoriously been a great developer of quarterbacks. So being around him and that wealth of knowledge is exciting."

To be fair to Rudolph’s perspective, he is in a unique position given his history with the organization. After originally being drafted by the Steelers in 2018, Rudolph spent several seasons developing within the system before leaving for the 2024 season to play with the Tennessee Titans. He then returned to Pittsburgh for the 2025 season and rejoined the team as a backup to Aaron Rodgers. 

He's not going to come out and say anything negative about his new head coach. These comments may very well have just been Rudolph sharing his excitement about a new chapter in his career.

Heading into 2026, Rudolph is once again set to serve as Rodgers’ backup. Throughout his career, many believed he could eventually develop into a long-term starter, either in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. That expectation, however, has not fully materialized, and there has been ongoing debate about whether Tomlin did enough to develop him, whether Rudolph was left to progress largely on his own, or whether the organization simply did not have the infrastructure to maximize quarterback development during that era.

Steelers’ Tomlin Era QB Debate Reignites 

There is also a broader discussion about whether Tomlin, despite his success as a head coach, had the necessary system or approach to consistently develop quarterbacks. Rudolph’s comments, coming after seven seasons under Tomlin, seem to align at least somewhat with that conversation. 

His acknowledgment of being excited about working with a coach who can develop quarterbacks may not have been directly aimed at Tomlin, but it is fair for some to interpret it that way given the context and his experience in Pittsburgh. Rudolph has been mentioned in trade conversations, but for now it appears he is set to back up Rodgers in 2026. He's clearly excited about this new era in the Steel City.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I’m always open to hearing different perspectives, breaking down games, and talking all things Pittsburgh football. Whether it’s roster moves, coaching decisions, or game-day reactions, I read and respond whenever I can. 

#SteelerNation