OTAs have began, and Aaron Rodgers nonetheless isn’t a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Whereas it looks like he’ll ultimately be a part of the crew, that’s not assured. That leaves Mason Rudolph because the Steelers’ starter. Which may not encourage a ton of confidence in lots of followers, however Bucky Brooks believes there’s a path to achievement for the Steelers with Rudolph atop their quarterback depth chart.
“To me, once they signed Mason Rudolph to this two-year $7.5 million deal to be the sort of QB1, QB2, they did it as a result of they have been assured sufficient that, in the event that they don’t get a greater choice because the starter, Mason Rudolph can maintain it down they usually can win loads of video games with him,” Brooks stated just lately on Bleav’s YouTube channel. “Bear in mind, in Pittsburgh, it’s not about profitable fairly. It’s about profitable.
“Mason Rudolph may give this crew an opportunity to win. Not on the stage we all the time speak about. Are they a title contender? No, however they actually is usually a playoff participant. A crew that may create some complications or issues based mostly on the best way that they play, that ball-control offense with a rugged protection. I wouldn’t dismiss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ possibilities of profitable with Mason Rudolph as QB1.”
Brooks is right that the Steelers don’t care about profitable fairly. Over the previous few years, most of their wins have been ugly. Nobody loves a one-score recreation greater than the Steelers. That primarily stems from their need to run the ball, management the clock, and play smothering protection.
Nonetheless, the Steelers have additionally misplaced video games which can be even uglier than their wins. That’s usually been a results of their offense not with the ability to sustain. With Rudolph beginning, it’s onerous to examine that altering. The Steelers’ offense most likely wouldn’t be capable to sustain with a few of the AFC’s higher groups.
There’s a major danger related to strolling into this season with Rudolph because the beginning quarterback. Pittsburgh’s protection faltered down the stretch final yr. In the event that they wrestle once more, issues may get ugly for the Steelers. Not less than with Rodgers, there’s hope that their offense may be much less anemic than it has been previously.
May the Steelers win a playoff recreation with Rudolph? Possibly, however that could be their ceiling. Brooks is correct that they wouldn’t be Tremendous Bowl contenders with Rudolph beginning. They may not even attain these heights in the event that they signal Rodgers.
Nonetheless, something can occur within the postseason. The Steelers haven’t gained a playoff recreation in eight years. Altering that may make this season successful. Rudolph helped the Steelers make the playoffs earlier than, and within the ensuing postseason recreation, he wasn’t horrible.
In the suitable situation, Pittsburgh may break its playoff drought with Rudolph beginning. Whether or not that’s sufficient to fulfill the crew is a unique query. They most likely need to compete for a championship, which is why they’re pursuing Rodgers. The Steelers may win with Rudolph, however they most likely have an opportunity at profitable extra with Rodgers.
