Steelers QB Gets Critical Over The Way Mike Tomlin Used To Run The Show In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a major transition as the coaching staff is almost entirely new heading into the 2026 season. This training camp in Latrobe, PA has looked a bit different with new head coach Mike McCarthy running the show. He doesn't support extremely physical practices in the same way that Mike Tomlin did, so there has been a lot fewer "live" portions of practice where players are taking one another to the ground. There have been other changes instituted under McCarthy. Many players that have played for both coaches have noted that each has their great qualities, and McCarthy has been extremely detail-oriented so far.

There are plenty of differences between the two Mikes. McCarthy is an offensive coach and prefers to call the plays himself, while Tomlin was a defensive-minded coach. McCarthy is extremely involved with the quarterbacks, while Tomlin liked to float around to every position and coach everyone up a little bit. Both styles are completely fine, but Mason Rudolph did point out some questionable decisions from under Tomlin's tenure that have been brought to light now with McCarthy running things.

The quarterback spoke to the media on Monday, and he was asked about the differences he is seeing. He noted that the quarterbacks had a lot more leeway in 2025, while also bringing up the fact that he used to not have a quarterback coach in Pittsburgh.

"There was a little bit more leeway on like doing whatever was comfortable last year, which sometimes you appreciate as a player," Rudolph said. "McCarthy's been very like, 'This is what we are going to do in quick game, intermediate drop, play-action, nakeds,' and so I appreciate that structure because, you know, my first two years, I didn't have a quarterbacks coach. It was kind of a free-for-all a bit, so I appreciate the structure."

Every coaching staff has its own style, and former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith allowing his quarterbacks to have a little bit more freedom of movement when it came to their footwork is fine. It was probably a decision that Tomlin was involved with and supported, but McCarthy wants things done a certain way, which might explain the way Aaron Rodgers has approached the game throughout his career.

The quarterback position is the most important position in all of sports, so having leeway is fine, but a free-for-all is not ideal. That is the way things were when Rudolph started out in Pittsburgh back in 2018 and 2019. Randy Fichtner was technically the quarterbacks coach during those two seasons, but he was the full-time offensive coordinator and play-caller as well. He didn't spend all of his time dedicated to quarterback play as he had an entire offense to run and get ready for the game. This led to some chaos from Rudolph's point of view, which explains why he is so appreciative of the structure he is seeing from McCarthy and his staff.

Steelers' Mason Rudolph Has Not Been Shy Of Being Critical

Rudolph has not really minced his words when speaking about some of his time in Pittsburgh. He has spoken about being frustrated leading up to the 2023 season, as well as being unhappy with the way his contract negotiations went following that season. He has been critical of the way the coaching staff was run in the past, and especially of former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It has become fairly obvious over the years that the two weren't too fond of one another. Rudolph has been a pleasant surprise in camp so far ahead of the 2026 season, but it will be interesting to see how that position shakes up on the final roster.

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