Steelers Now
By Danny Demilio, Pittsburgh Baseball Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph was at PNC Park on Saturday to throw out a ceremonial first pitch ahead of the Pirates game against the Phillies.
Rudolph, and tight end Connor Heyward, were getting lose on the warning track in front of the Pirates’ dugout in the hours leading up to the start of the game.
The 29-year-old had to quickly get used to throwing a baseball instead of a football — at least for one day. This first pitch won’t be Rudolph’s first rodeo, though.
“I did one in college at Oklahoma State. It was fun,” he said. “Much different than a football, as you guys know. It’s lighter and you gotta get a couple warmups in to kind of get a feel for it.”
Rudolph and Heyward talked briefly with Pirates relievers David Bednar and Chase Shugart. Though their conversation revolved more around restaurants and the city of Pittsburgh than advice on the first pitch, the Steelers quarterback has some playing experience to rely on.
“Middle school and my freshman year of high school, and then after that I was basketball and football only,” Rudolph said on his baseball career. “I did a Cooperstown (tournament) and a lot of travel baseball in South Carolina.”
Rudolph’s scheduled appearance at PNC Park comes on the same day the Steelers made their one-year deal with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers official.
The Steelers signed Rodgers to a one-year, $13.65 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $19.5 million. The deal includes $5.85 million worth of playing time and team performance incentives.
Last year with the Jets — his 20th NFL season and second in New York — Rodgers totaled 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Though a future Hall of Famer is joining the Steelers’ quarterback room, Rudolph’s mindset remains the same.
“I had a feeling they were gonna bring somebody in. Obviously Aaron is at the forefront of the conversation for a long time,” said Rudolph. “I won’t change my approach. We got one more week of practice coming up at mandatory minicamp. It will be nice to get everybody in the building and keep doing what I’ve done my whole career. I’ve had plenty of adversity and found a way to battle through it. Stay ready.”
The Steelers had been linked to Rodgers throughout the NFL offseason before a deal was finally agreed to on Thursday ahead of mandatory minicamp.
Pittsburgh re-signed Rudolph to a two-year contract in March after he spent last season with the Tennessee Titans. They later selected Will Howard out of Ohio State in the sixth round of the 2025 draft, giving them three new quarterbacks on the roster for the 2025-26 season.
There had long been speculation that Rodgers would eventually land with the Steelers prior to the deal finally being completed.
“Glad there’s some clarity,” Rudolph said on the team’s quarterback situation. “I can say I’m excited to see...
