Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch believes Mason Rudolph could beat out Aaron Rodgers for the starting job.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his football future. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch thinks that could give Mason Rudolph the upper hand, even if Rodgers ultimately signs with the Steelers.
“When you add an Aaron Rodgers, I think the longer it goes towards training camp, I think you have to give the edge to Mason Rudolph,” Batch said on “The Arthur Moats Experience.” “That means he knows the system a little better than what Aaron Rodgers would. We understand what his resume looks like, but again, this is not a system that Aaron has spent the majority of his career in. I just think the longer that this goes on, I think you’re kind of walking on thin ice as it relates to how soon are you going to put him in there.”
Pittsburgh has expressed its faith in Rudolph’s ability to be the team’s starter in 2025 if Rodgers decides to play elsewhere or retire.
“That’s why we brought him back. I’m comfortable with that,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”
Rudolph has the resume to back up those beliefs, too. He was first thrust into the starting role when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 of the 2019 season. He started eight games and completed 176 of 283 passes (62.2%) for 1,765 yards (6.2 yards per attempt), 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
He was then given the opportunity to start once again for final three games of the 2023 regular season after Kenny Pickett was lost to a high-ankle sprain and Mitchell Trubisky struggled in his limited action.
Rudolph responded with the best play of his career, completing 55 of 75 passes (74.3%) for 719 yards (10.5 yards per attempt) three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He led the Steelers to three straight victories and a playoff spot, before losing in the Wild Card round to the Buffalo Bills.
However, Rodgers would be able to pick up the playbook in short time, given his 20 years of NFL experience, and his resume certainly outshines Rudolph’s. It’s also difficult to imagine Rodgers even agreeing to sign with Pittsburgh without a guarantee of being the Week 1 starter.
So while the Steelers were more than happy to reunite with Rudolph this offseason, he will likely remain their backup plan no matter when Rodgers shows up.
In 2024, Rudolph went 1-4 in his starts, throwing for 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions with the Tennessee Titans.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers QB Thinks Mason Rudolph Could Beat Out Aaron Rodgers
