Since Ben Roethlisberger guided the Steelers to a 12-4 record in 2020, Rudolph’s play in those games was among the greatest the franchise has had behind center.
Even though two games is a short sample size, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that there is no reason to doubt the team’s intentions with Rudolph going into the offseason.
In an online conversation on January 3, Dulac stated, “There is no question the Steelers will try to re-sign Rudolph after the season.” “I assume they’ll just give him Trubisky’s deal, which pays roughly $11.5 million over the course of two years.”
Mitch Trubisky has two years left on his contract, but Rudolph will be free agent this offseason.
Mason Rudolph is expected to re-sign with the Steelers as Kenny Pickett’s backup.
The Steelers startled fans and media analysts last offseason when they signed Trubisky to a contract extension and brought back Rudolph. However, Dulac predicted this offseason that Pittsburgh’s favored strategy for 2024 would be to bring back Rudolph rather than Trubisky.
“No. 3, Pickett, and Mason [Rudolph].” According to Dulac, Trubisky will be paid $4.5 million in salary plus an additional $1 million in roster bonus in 2024 and $5 million in salary plus an additional $1 million in roster bonus in 2025. “If the Steelers release him, they will save a genuine $11.5 million. And for a No. 3 quarterback, that is way excessive.
This season, Rudolph has far outperformed Trubisky. Rudolph has recorded a 68.5% completion percentage and 10.5 yards per attempt in three games. Additionally, he has two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Trubisky has an average of 5.9 yards per pass and a completion percentage of 62.6%. In five games, he has also accounted for four touchdowns and five interceptions.
In lieu of an ailing Kenny Pickett, each quarterback has made two starts. Rudolph started both games for the Steelers, who averaged 32 points per contest. Trubisky started both games for the Steelers, who averaged 15.5 points per game but lost both of them.
Is Rudolph Going to Face Off Against Pickett for the Starting QB Job in 2024?
For Pittsburgh to have any chance of making the playoffs, they must defeat the Baltimore Ravens on January 6. It appears improbable that head coach Mike Tomlin would go back to Pickett in the postseason if that occurs and the Steelers secure a postseason spot.
This indicates that it’s quite likely that Rudolph will finish this season as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, even if Pickett returns to full health and starts again in Week 18.
Dulac, though, doesn’t think that will continue to be the case even in the event that the Steelers and Rudolph are able to come to a contract.
After what he has demonstrated, Dulac stated, “He will definitely be offered and brought back as the No. 2 quarterback.” “I don’t think there will be an open fight for the starting job in training camp, though, until he leads them to the Super Bowl.
And I doubt there will be even after that. In 2024, Kenny Pickett will be their quarterback.
As a starting quarterback in his two NFL seasons, Pickett had a 7-5 record. However, in 25 games, he has only averaged 6.3 yards per pass and 13 touchdowns.
Rudolph has completed 20 games with 18 touchdown throws.
But it’s crucial to remember that Rudolph is in his sixth season in the NFL and isn’t playing under Matt Canada, the offensive coordinator who was fired earlier. Without Canada calling the plays for him, Pickett has only made one career start. Pickett averaged 8.4 yards per pass in that debut.
The Steelers’ efforts to have patience with the former first-round choice are commendable. But it would be malpractice for the Steelers to pass on Rudolph’s current level of play and not sign him to a long-term deal.
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