Mason Rudolph doesn’t know if he’s starting or will remain the backup for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. No matter what the decision is, he’s ready for his role. Speaking to reporters Wednesday shortly after Aaron Rodgers met with the media, Rudolph said his approach isn’t changing.
“My mindset is to be ready if I have to play,” Rudolph said via the Trib’s Joe Rutter.
Rudolph took first-team reps Wednesday while Rodgers sat out. Rodgers told reporters he will attempt to practice Thursday, though it’s unclear if that will come on a full or limited basis. If it’s the latter, Rudolph is likely to receive the bulk if not all of the starting snaps.
A backup his entire career, Rudolph is used to the unpredictable situations the NFL has handed him.
“Got a lot of different experiences to draw from,” he said. “Whether to find out the day before the game, whether you’re thrown into the game, or you get the whole week of reps.”
Rudolph is referring to the 2021 game in which he became the starter the night before a contest against the Detroit Lions after Ben Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID. Rudolph threw for 242 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 16-16 tie, a game the Steelers were poised to win before late-game fumbles doomed them.
In his 32 NFL appearances, Rudolph has:
– 18 starts
– 8 mop ups
– 6 substantial in-game replacements
For a backup quarterback, those lived experiences have him ready for whatever the end of the week holds. Pittsburgh won’t know if Rodgers is starting or not until Thursday at the earliest and the decision may bleed into Friday or even Saturday. Rudolph’s steady veteran hand creates confidence to let the situation play out and is the reason why Pittsburgh re-signed him this offseason to be its clear No. 2 quarterback.
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