Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch believes the longer Aaron Rodgers draws out his decision, the likelier it will become Mason Rudolph starts the season.
Batch, appearing on the Arthur Moats Experience, noted the longer Rodgers waits, the less time he will have to learn a new offense. Given Rudolph is already diving into the playbook, Batch would give Rudolph a real chance to win that competition.
“When you add an Aaron Rodgers, I think the longer it goes towards training camp, I think you have to give the edge to Mason Rudolph,” Batch said. “That means he knows the system a little better than what Aaron Rodgers would. We understand what his resume looks like, but again, this is not a system that Aaron has spent the majority of his career in. I just think the longer that this goes on, I think you’re kind of walking on thin ice as it relates to how soon are you going to put him in there.”
In reality, Rodgers would have to wait until well into training camp not to be the starter. All likelihood is that the training camp will sign him if he is the Steelers’ quarterback. Otherwise, they may pivot to other options.
Rudolph went 1-4 in his starts in 2024, throwing nine touchdowns and nine intercpetions while amassing 1530 over the year. Now, Rudolph is back on the market and the Steelers could be one of his landing spots.
Rudolph’s breakout three games came at the end of the 2023 season, where he led the Steelers from 7-7 to 10-7 and a playoff berth, where they would lose to the Buffalo Bills.
The Steelers drafted Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He stayed with the team through the 2023 season after a second lease on his NFL life.