Rudolph is active for the Steelers' matchup with the Patriots on Thursday Night Football, Teresa Varley of the team's official website reports.
Rudolph has operated as the team's emergency quarterback a few times this season, but with Kenny Pickett (ankle) unavailable for Week 14, Rudolph will be Pittsburgh's backup behind Mitch Trubisky. The quarterback hasn't appeared in a game since the 2021 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Emergency QB for Sunday night
Rotowire
Rudolph (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Raiders.
For the third straight week, Rudolph will be the emergency quarterback. Rudolph's role as the No. 3 quarterback is seemingly solidified with Mitch Trubisky serving as the backup to Kenny Pickett.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Will serve as No. 3 QB
Rotowire
Rudolph (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against San Francisco, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky were competing for the team's backup role behind Kenny Pickett this offseason, and it seems that Trubisky has won the job for now. Rudolph's next chance to be active on game day will come in Week 2 against Cleveland.
Rudolph completed three of seven pass attempts for 15 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing twice for three yards during Thursday's 24-0 preseason win over Atlanta.
Rudolph was efficient during the Steelers' first two preseason games but took a step back Thursday, while Mitch Trubisky was productive for a second consecutive matchup. Trubisky is likely the favorite to serve as the No. 2 quarterback in Pittsburgh now that the preseason has concluded, but Rudolph could still be in the mix to make the 53-man roster if the team keeps three quarterbacks heading into the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Mason Rudolph: Visiting with Pittsburgh
Rotowire
Rudolph is visiting the Steelers on Tuesday and could be re-signed, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 Draft, and he appeared in 17 games over his first three seasons, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,366 yards and a 16:11 TD:INT. The 27-year-old spent the 2022 campaign as Pittsburgh's No. 3 QB and dressed for one game but didn't record any snaps. If he re-signs, Rudolph figures to compete with undrafted rookie Tanner Morgan for a similar role behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Chance to start in Week 15
Rotowire
Coach Mike Tomlin said Friday that he'll wait until Saturday to make a decision between Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky to replace Kenny Pickett (doubtful - concussion) as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Carolina, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickett entered the concussion protocol during last Sunday's 16-14 loss to the Ravens and hasn't logged more than a limited practice this week. With the rookie signal-caller likely to be inactive this weekend, Rudolph is poised to be active himself for the first time this season. Rudolph and Trubisky split first-team reps Wednesday through Friday, so Tomlin has all the intel he needs to make a call between the two. If Rudolph ends up being the starter Sunday, he'll bring career marks of 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and 6.2 yards per attempt in 17 appearances (10 starts) since he was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2017 draft.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Throws for 93 yards in win
Rotowire
Rudolph completed nine of 15 pass attempts for 93 yards and a touchdown during the Steelers' 32-25 preseason win over the Seahawks on Saturday.
Rudolph was the second Steelers quarterback to enter Saturday's preseason opener, and he connected with rookie receiver George Pickens for a 26-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone late in the first quarter. Rudolph has had some reps with the first-team offense over the first few weeks of training camp, but Mitch Trubisky has looked like the frontrunner for the starting job under center. However, Rudolph certainly didn't hurt his case with his efficient performance against Seattle.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: In line for backup role
Rotowire
Rudolph will begin OTAs as the Steelers' backup quarterback after Mitchell Trubisky agreed to a two-year deal with the team Monday, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.
Rudolph looked like he had a chance to serve as Pittsburgh's starter under center after Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement earlier in the offseason, but Trubisky now will be the clear favorite to take the starting job after spending a year behind Josh Allen in Buffalo. After filling in during 10 games in 2019, Rudolph has made seven appearances across the last two seasons and has completed 60 of 101 passes for 601 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing 12 times for 47 yards.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Could take starting job next year
Rotowire
Rudolph could be the Steelers' starting quarterback in 2022, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.
Ben Roethlisberger is expected to retire, while Rudolph is under contract with the Steelers through 2022 thanks to a one-year extension signed last spring worth slightly more than $4 million -- decent money for a backup but far from what most starters make. Of course, Rudolph's odds of starting will depend on the alternatives as much as anything else, and it isn't yet clear if Pittsburgh will make a move for any of the high-profile, disgruntled, veteran QBs that may be available this offseason. Even if they don't, Rudolph won't necessarily be a lock to start, potentially facing competition from Dwayne Haskins, Joshua Dobbs or someone new who the Steelers bring in.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Returns to backup role
Rotowire
Rudolph will return to a backup role Sunday against the Chargers after Ben Roethlisberger (illness) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Rudolph served as a spot starter in Sunday's Week 10 tie against Detroit and completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Although he performed relatively well in his interim role, he should remain in a reserve role as long as Roethlisberger is healthy.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Tops 100 yards in preseason win
Rotowire
Rudolph completed 13 of his 18 passes for 138 yards in Saturday's 26-20 preseason win over the Lions.
Rudolph drew starts in each of the Steelers' first two preseason matchups, but he worked behind Ben Roethlisberger on Saturday. The 2018 third-rounder still led the team's quarterbacks in playing time, as he was on the field for 50 percent of the snaps in the win. Rudolph led Pittsburgh in passing yards as a result and strengthened his case for the No. 2 job under center. Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Joshua Dobbs will have one more chance to compete in Friday's preseason finale against Carolina, but Rudolph appears to be the front runner to serve as the Steelers' primary backup at quarterback.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Accurate but ineffective Thursday
Rotowire
Rudolph completed eight of nine passes for 77 yards without a touchdown or turnover in Thursday's 24-16 preseason win over the Eagles.
Despite his accuracy, Rudolph failed to lead the Steelers to any points on the team's first three drives, even while working with the team's starting skill position players. Dwayne Haskins then led a trio of touchdown drives over the next two quarters, and he remains hot on Rudolph's heels for the backup job behind Ben Roethlisberger. Both Rudolph and Haskins should get plenty of reps in next week's preseason tilt against the Lions.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Slated for backup role in 2021
Rotowire
Rudolph is expected to serve as the Steelers' backup quarterback in 2021 following news that Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.
Roethlisberger's 2020 season was underwhelming by most metrics, but the Steelers nevertheless want their franchise quarterback for another season. In turn, Rudolph will spend the final year of his rookie contract as the backup to Roethlisberger. The 2018 third-round pick started in Week 17 against the Browns and completed 56 percent of his passes for 315 yards (8.1 YPA), two touchdowns and an interception.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Tops 300 yards in Week 17
Rotowire
Rudolph completed 22 of 39 passes for 315 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while also rushing once for one yard in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.
Rudolph received a spot start in Sunday's regular-season finale while Ben Roethlisberger rested ahead of the team's playoff run, completing 56.4 percent of his passes and averaging 8.1 yards per attempt. He was replaced by Joshua Dobbs late in the game but still topped 300 yards for the first time in his career. Rudolph will revert to a backup role during the playoffs and should do the same in 2021 if Roethlisberger continues playing next season.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Prepping for possible Week 10 start
Rotowire
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rudolph will receive the bulk of the reps at quarterback in practice this week with starter Ben Roethlisberger (knees) uncertain to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to this weekend's game against the Bengals, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
Roethlisberger was one of four Steelers placed on the list Tuesday after those players were identified to have been high-risk close contacts of tight end Vance McDonald, who tested positive for COVID-19 following Sunday's 24-19 win over the Cowboys. Even though Roethlisberger has tested negative for the coronavirus, he'll still be forced to self-isolate for five days in accordance with NFL protocols, meaning he won't be able to practice Wednesday through Friday. Roethlisberger will continue to take part in virtual meetings with the Steelers and will remain prepared to start Week 10 if he's activated from the list when eligible Saturday, but Rudolph waits in the wings in case the veteran can't go. Rudolph's last NFL start came against this same Bengals team back on Nov. 24, 2019, when he struggled through two quarters before being pulled in favor of Devlin Hodges.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Recovering from surgery
Rotowire
Rudolph (shoulder) had surgery last week to address a posterior sternoclavicular dislocation, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The injury is considered to be a medical emergency because the displaced clavicle can puncture the aorta or trachea, among other things. Fortunately, Rudolph avoided any of the scarier outcomes while he remained in a trauma unit for three days after he had surgery. He anticipates a two-month recovery period, which could allow for participation at the beginning of Pittsburgh's offseason program. The 24-year-old quarterback played in 10 games in 2019 completing 176 of 283 passes for 1,765 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He likely will enter 2020 vying for a backup role behind Ben Roethlisberger, who had surgery on his right elbow Sept. 23. Coach Mike Tomlin suggested Rudolph will be ahead of Devlin Hodges when the team gets back to work in April, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Not having shoulder surgery
Rotowire
Rudolph won't need to undergo shoulder surgery, Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Rudolph's second pro season officially ended when he was placed on IR on Monday, due to a left shoulder injury he suffered Week 16 against the Jets. Earlier Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Rudolph underwent a procedure to reset a sternoclavicular joint dislocation in the shoulder in question. Coach Mike Tomlin proceeded to dispute the report but didn't add his two cents regarding Rudolph's health. In any case, the QB will be devoting his immediate future to rehabbing the shoulder.
Rudolph sustained a sternoclavicular (SC) joint dislocation in his left shoulder against the Jets and underwent a successful surgery to reset it. He will be able to begin throwing again in 6-to-8 weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rudolph was already placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his year, but it looks like he will be recovered in plenty of time for next season's offseason program. It is unclear at this point what the Steelers are planning to do at quarterback for next season, as Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) is now 37 and has suffered many injuries over the course of the past few seasons. If Roethlisberger decides to forgo the final two years of his contract, Rudolph could be in a position to take the reins in Pittsburgh, depending on what the team does in the 2020 draft or free agency.
... See More... See Less
Steelers' Mason Rudolph: Could lose starting job
Rotowire
Coach Mike Tomlin declined to name Rudolph or Devlin Hodges as the starting quarterback for Week 13 against the Browns, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports reports.
Hodges led the Steelers to a 16-10 win over the Bengals on Sunday after Rudolph was benched early in the third quarter. Tomlin wasn't ready to announce his decision at the post-game press conference, but he should have an answer at some point this week. Rudolph ranks 27th out of 34 qualified passers in completion percentage (61.6), 33rd in yards per attempt (6.2) and 29th in interception rate (3.4). Hodges is an undrafted rookie from an FCS program, but he's appeared competent in his three NFL appearances, completing 27 of 40 passes (67.5 percent) for 318 yards (8.0 YPA), two touchdowns and one interception.
Rudolph (coach's decision) exited Sunday's game against the Bengals and was replaced by Devlin Hodges, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Rudolph's first half wasn't impressive, and he's been benched to begin the third quarter as a result. Before exiting Sunday's contest, Rudolph completed eight of 16 pass attempts for 85 yards and one interception. He was also sacked once. Coach Mike Tomlin's comments about his quarterback situation heading into Week 13 will bear watching.
