Is Rudolph the long-term answer?

By: Jake Rajala

Mason Rudolph has been shaky in his NFL career. He went 3-0 in 2023, but he fell off a cliff and went 1-3 a season ago. Rudolph hasn’t exactly been consistent or a Pro Bowler in his career. Yet, Mike Tomlin is prepared and confident in the scrappy QB starting for the Steelers.

Rudolph threw 9 touchdowns to 9 interceptions last season. He registered a PFF grade of 62.5 – which slotted him as the 52nd best QB. To be fair, he was in an average Titans offense last season. The Steelers offense has DK Metcalf (992 yards in 15 games), who is a Top-10 WR and George Pickens (900 yards in 14 games), who could make his first Pro Bowl soon.

The pass protection may not be that much better at Pittsburgh than what it was in Tennessee. The Titans ranked 26th in sacks allowed and the Steelers ranked 25th in sacks allowed.

I don’t believe that he is the long-term answer. It’s quite rare for a 29 year old QB to turn one’s career around and be an above average starter. Geno Smith is one of the few faces in the past few years to prove my prior statement false. Sam Darnold revolted his career, but he’s a couple of years younger than Rudolph. I also don’t believe he can perform better than what Russell Wilson offered the Steelers.

The thing going for Rudolph is that he doesn’t compete in the most dangerous division. The Browns are 27th in points allowed and the Bengals are 25th in PPG.

I would still like to see the Steelers ink Aaron Rodgers, who is mulling the possibility of joining the Steelers. The Steelers could draft a QB in round one and have him sit for a year. Make no mistake – the Top-5 QBs in the 2025 draft class have more upside than Rudolph.