Mike Tomlin continues to play QB piñata. He’s hoping that when the hit lands, Aaron Rodgers will be wearing black and gold once the blindfold’s lifted. The Steelers are even waiting to take a decision on their WR gap so they can get someone that will work well with Rodgers. While that signals Aaron Rodgers will eventually grace Steel City, it raises questions for the three holding down the fort. If it’s Rodgers in black and gold, he’ll have a chance to mentor the younger players lining up behind him. But are they thrilled about it? Well, one QB has shared his two cents on the matter.

Skylar Thompson signed up in January, Mason Rudolph joined in March. With Will Howard from the drafts, that makes three QBs out of Mike Tomlin’s 4-QB-plan. But as far as the Steelers are concerned, if a veteran like A-Rod joins, all the three QBs will get sidelined. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had the best of seasons in the last few years. But that doesn’t put a single dent in the years of experience the guy’s got. The question is: are the others okay with being benched behind A-Rod? Mason Rudolph, for one, seems to be prepared.

In conversation with Mark Kaboly – Steelers correspondent for the Pat McAfee Show – Mason Rudolph hinted he’s not very worried. Rudolph said, “This business hardens you, and I have been through that before. – I thought I had a shot in 2022, then all of a sudden they brought in Mitch and Kenny. I’ve been through that before, and you have to keep working and stay the course.” Mason Rudolph had, indeed, faced this exact hurdle with the Steelers once before.

When the Steelers first signed him, he was all set to lead under center. But that dream didn’t take long to be crushed. As Kaboly writes, “The Steelers then signed Mitch Trubisky in free agency and drafted Kenny Pickett a month later, and all of a sudden, Rudolph was third on the depth chart.”

When Mason Rudolph returned to the Steelers this March, it looked like he would have a shot at leadership. His history with the Steelers certainly edged out Thompson, who was already waiting in the QB room. But then the Steelers made it known, quite loudly in fact, that they wanted Rodgers. The dude even came around to their facility and spent a lot of time talking with all the bigwigs.

And it looked like history would repeat itself for Rudolph. But going behind a 40+ veteran would mean he’ll have plenty to absorb, and eventually get a chance for himself. “I assumed they were going to sign people and add to the roster because they always go to training camp with four quarterbacks. – I knew that going in.” So he already knows what’s coming, and he’s ready with a simple plan this time around.

Mason Rudolph’s mission for the Steelers

Mason Rudolph joined back with the Steelers with a $8 million contract for two years. If Aaron Rodgers joins, he’s hinted before that he will take $10 million for the year. And sources around the league believe A-Rod + Steelers will mostly be a one-year stint. So Mason Rudolph has a good chance of leading, eventually. Unless, of course, Thompson shows out, or Howard develops quickly. There’s also a chance the Steelers might get a better play caller from the 2026 draft class.

While there are too many intangibles at this point, Rudolph remains totally unfazed. He further said, “I learned a long time ago that the financial compensation will tell you what’s going to go down in terms of the depth chart – All I can do is keep having a good spring… and make the most of every rep. That’s what I’ve done my whole career.”

The 2023 performance is proof of Mason Rudolph’s stock as a QB1. When he got the shot, he made every single moment count and led the Steelers to three iconic victories. Looking back, Rudolph doesn’t have any regrets about his earlier time with the team.

“I look back at 2022 and a large portion of 2023, am I competitive, and would I have liked to play more those two years and start more games, absolutely – Being the No. 3 for most of 2022 and barely getting any reps and having to stay in it mentally, that’s the best adversity you can ask for. I have no regrets about how things went down.” And with that same powerful mentality, he looks forward to the new season. QB1 or not, this guy certainly has the flair to earn that spot.

As Mark Kaboly put it, “Now, for Rudolph, it’s just a waiting game.” Till the time Rodgers arrives (if at all) Rudolph will be at the helm, waiting for a chance to prove he’s still got that 2023 performance within him. As he said himself, “They know what I can do and what we were able to do there toward the end of 2023 – They know I can play well when asked to, and my number is called.” And the fans might just be hoping his number does get called. Will it get called? What do you think?