Steelers Now
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback position for the 2025 season is uncertain as of now due to the wait on Aaron Rodgers, but head coach Mike Tomlin is confident in Mason Rudolph’s abilities if he ends up being the starter.
“We’re optimistic about the room that we’re constructing. Obviously, we’re excited about having Mason Rudolph back,” Tomlin said. “Our knowledge of him not only as a player but as a man. It’s exciting to have him back and I know he’s excited to be back. But, certainly, we are going to explore all our options to round that room out.”
Tomlin thinks Rudolph’s lengthy experience with the team is his best attribute.
I think that’s why we re-acquired him,” Tomlin said. “We like Mason Rudolph, but, you know, that’s no secret.”
“His experience within our building certainly helps. Not only helps him, but helps us,” Tomlin added.
Tomlin said they’re still evaluating potential acquisitions at the position and doing their due diligence at the quarterback position.
“I don’t know if we are identifying anything as Plan A, Plan B or Plan C. We’re just simply looking at the field of available people, whether it’s free agency or the draft and making decisions and gathering information accordingly,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin feels like the start of training camp would be the first time not having a quarterback signed would impact the team.
“In the spring, it’s about teaching and learning and getting familiar with players and making sure they get familiar with some of the things we value,” he said. “It’s not an evaluation time of the year for us. It’s certainly not a time of the year where we’re readying ourself for game action. Certainly, training camp would be a line of demarcation in terms of that discussion.”
Rudolph, 29, was selected with the No. 76 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Steelers. He spent the first six years of his career in Pittsburgh before spending last season with the Tennessee Titans. He signed a two-year deal with the Steelers in free agency earlier this month.
Rudolph’s one season in Tennessee didn’t go as planned, as he was 1-4 as a starter and Tennessee finished a disastrous 3-14.
In total, Rudolph played in eight games. On the season, he completed 64.0% of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a passer rating of 55.5.
Rudolph, 28, was drafted in the third round by the Steelers out of Oklahoma State in 2018. He spent six seasons in Pittsburgh, playing in 21 games and making 13 starts. In six seasons with Pittsburgh, Rudolph completed 63.5% of his passes for 3,085 yards, 19 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 86.9.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Palm Beach, Fla.
