The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t proven many indicators of panic in relation to their quarterback state of affairs with Aaron Rodgers nonetheless stringing the crew alongside along with his determination. Possibly that’s as a result of they’ve Mason Rudolph, who final led them to a three-game profitable streak to finish the common season in 2023. Former Steelers QB Charlie Batch isn’t so positive that Rodgers has the sting over Rudolph if he waits an excessive amount of longer to signal.
“Mason Rudolph, he was right here, however he wasn’t on this system. So he does have a leg up because it pertains to studying the offense as a result of he’s been right here for the final couple months,” Batch stated in an interview with Arthur Moats on The Arthur Moats Expertise podcast. “I believe the longer it goes in direction of coaching camp, I believe you must give the sting to Mason Rudolph as a result of meaning he is aware of the system slightly bit higher than what Aaron Rodgers [does].
“We perceive what his resume appears to be like like, however once more, this isn’t a system that Aaron has spent nearly all of his profession in that you might say it’s a plug-and-play kind of state of affairs.”
Given the Steelers’ latest monitor document of assigning pole place and exhibiting deference to future Corridor of Fame veteran gamers, I’d be shocked if Rudolph finally ends up with the within monitor no matter when Rodgers indicators. Even when he indicators the day earlier than coaching camp begins, which was Mike Tomlin’s preliminary line within the sand, I believe Rodgers has the higher hand.
Rudolph has familiarity with sure gamers like Pat Freiermuth and Calvin Austin III, however the majority of the opposite teammates and naturally the offensive coordinator are new since he was final with the crew in 2023. I don’t need to low cost what gamers can study throughout voluntary OTAs and necessary minicamp, however would Rudolph actually be capable to construct an insurmountable lead with a whole coaching camp and preseason to go?
The newest instance was Russell Wilson versus Justin Fields final offseason, although it was a special set of circumstances. Fields received nearly the entire bodily reps all through camp, however Wilson was round for all of OTAs and exercises and even hosted coaching periods along with his teammates in the course of the offseason.
Lacking camp harm, however they have been snug plugging him again into the beginning lineup as a result of he had been across the crew and discovered the lingo for a number of months by the point he received his first begin after harm.
There is no such thing as a strategy to simulate cohesion inside an offensive unit apart from gamers spending time round one another. Rodgers would clearly have a greater probability than a lesser quarterback at acclimating rapidly, nevertheless it’s simply as a lot concerning the receivers acclimating to him as it’s the different means round. Roman Wilson, for instance, is anticipated to play a task within the offense this 12 months, however he has barely taken an NFL snap but.
“I simply have, not essentially a giant query mark, however a small query mark because it pertains to how that jell goes to occur, how briskly it’s going to occur,” Batch stated.
There have been reviews all through the offseason that the Steelers have a nice deal of perception in Rudolph and he was one of many causes they weren’t too apprehensive about imposing deadlines with Rodgers or backfilling the place early within the draft.
He had a lackluster 2024 season in his restricted alternatives with the Tennessee Titans, however that Titans crew ended up selecting No. 1 total for a cause. The final time Rudolph performed for the Steelers, he accomplished 53 of his 71 makes an attempt for 716 yards, three TDs and no interceptions within the last three common season video games. He lifted them into the playoffs when it appeared all hope was misplaced after a three-game loss streak.
“I’m excited for Mason as a result of he’s been ready for this chance. He’s labored his tail off since he’s been drafted,” Batch stated. “…I’m excited as a result of I do know that is gonna be his second. If all issues work out, I believe he’s gonna convey some pleasure right here for this season.”
It’s exhausting to check a world the place Rodgers indicators and isn’t the beginning quarterback. However there needs to be at the very least a small a part of most Steelers followers that need to see what Rudolph can do coming into a season as QB1 for the primary time in his profession.
