{"id":49571,"date":"2025-05-20T02:47:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T02:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=49571"},"modified":"2025-05-20T02:47:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T02:47:34","slug":"breaking-steelers-informed-mason-rudolph-of-qb-plan-during-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=49571","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Steelers Informed Mason Rudolph Of QB Plan During Free Agency.."},"content":{"rendered":"

Once it became clear neither\u00a0Justin Fields\u00a0<\/strong>nor\u00a0Russell Wilson\u00a0<\/strong>would return to the Steelers in 2025, the team pivoted to other options at the quarterback spot. One of those was a reunion with\u00a0Mason Rudolph<\/strong>.\"\"<\/p>\n

The former third-rounder\u00a0drew interest from the Giants\u00a0in free agency, but before a visit could be arranged he signed a\u00a0two-year, $7.5MM\u00a0deal to return to Pittsburgh. That pact came against the backdrop of the Titans showing interest in a 2025 arrangement after he played there last year, but Rudolph\u2019s preference was to re-join the team that drafted him.<\/p>\n

Owner\u00a0Art Rooney II\u00a0<\/strong>made it clear this offseason that Pittsburgh would target a starting-caliber passer in this year\u2019s draft or the 2026 event, and of course for much of the spring the possibility of an\u00a0Aaron Rodgers\u00a0<\/strong>signing has loomed over the organization. Rudolph has been made aware of the team\u2019s plans under center throughout this process, though. The 29-year-old declined to get into specifics about conversations he had on that front, but Rudolph made it clear he knew competition would be coming after he signed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI assumed they were going to sign people and add to the roster because they always go to training camp with four quarterbacks,\u201d\u00a0<\/em>the Oklahoma State product said (via Mark Kaboly of the\u00a0Pat McAfee Show<\/em>).\u00a0\u201cI knew that going in. I am going to respect the privacy of what [general manager] Omar [Khan] told me specifically. That\u2019s for him to decide when, or whatever, they add a fourth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Rodgers and Steelers head coach\u00a0Mike Tomlin\u00a0<\/strong>have remained in contact, and in the middle of the draft Rooney repeated his confidence that the four-time MVP will eventually sign. The latest development on that front saw the end of May\u00a0floated as a potential deadline, and if Rodgers is in place by then (or later), he will take on starting duties for 2025. Until and unless that happens, however, Rudolph is atop the depth chart with the\u00a0backing of Tomlin and Co.\u00a0to handle QB1 duties if needed.<\/p>\n

In 2023, a\u00a0Kenny Pickett\u00a0<\/strong>injury opened the door for Rudolph to take over starting duties; he remained in that role even after Pickett was healthy down the stretch and through the wild-card round. Rudolph\u2019s three interception-free starts helped get Pittsburgh into the postseason, although he struggled during the team\u2019s loss to the Bills (during which he did throw a pick). Still, that showing gave Pittsburgh confidence in reuniting with him for at least a backup role in 2025.<\/p>\n

The Steelers drafted\u00a0Will Howard\u00a0<\/strong>in the sixth round last month and still have\u00a0Skylar Thompson\u00a0<\/strong>in the fold in advance of training camp. Rodgers could join that group, but even if that does take place Rudolph will not be caught off guard.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Once it became clear neither\u00a0Justin Fields\u00a0nor\u00a0Russell Wilson\u00a0would return to the Steelers in 2025, the team pivoted to other options at the quarterback spot. 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