NFL insider Dan Graziano says the Pittsburgh Steelers are comfortable with [Mason Rudolph](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2025/05/mason-rudolph-explains-feelings-after-returning-to-pittsburgh-steelers.html) as their starting quarterback if [Aaron Rodgers](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2025/05/ex-nfl-qb-sees-steelers-as-aaron-rodgers-only-option-all-these-other-teams-its-not-happening.html) spurns them.
Rudolph re-signed with the Steelers on a two-year, $8 million deal, and could have a starting role if Rodgers chooses to retire or another chance pops up.
“They don’t hate Mason Rudolph. He helped them get to the playoffs two years ago with the way he played in December. They feel like Mason Rudolph can play quarterback well enough that they can be a playoff team because of their defense and their run game,” Graziano said. “So, I think if Aaron Rodgers shows up, they’re fine with it. I think if he doesn’t show up, they’re fine with it, and they don’t feel like they’re sitting here waiting for Patrick Mahomes to make a decision.”
Rudolph went 1-4 in his starts in 2024, throwing nine touchdowns and nine intercpetions while amassing 1530 over the year.
Rudolph’s time with the Steelers was up and down, and he never got an extended chance until 2023 following a rough 2019 in his second season. The NFL is a business, and oftentimes, the depth chart can be predicted by financial compensation. Rudolph has been hardened by the business s as a result, but would not change anything.
“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,” Rudolph said. “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.”
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.