It should come as no surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Mason Rudolph will go their own ways this offseason. A third-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, his career didn't go according to anyone's plan. After the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, Rudolph thought he may finally get an opportunity to win the starting job.
Well, shortly after, the Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky in free agency and then drafted Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. From that moment on, it was obvious that Rudolph wouldn't get a fair shake. At training camp in Latrobe, Pa., Rudolph looked like the team's best quarterback at times. Trade rumors continued to swirl, yet the team kept him as the third quarterback for the duration of the 2022 campaign.
He didn't appear in a single regular-season game, which was his fourth season in the league. Obviously, Rudolph wants a chance to play somewhere, so it's no surprise that he wants no part of a return to Pittsburgh. The writing was on the wall all year long, and while he remained professional, the QB made it clear that he wasn't happy with how things were handled. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reported that Rudolph will not return, as he wants to find a spot where he can play:
"Rudolph might have the ability to pick and choose a situation that is best for him to compete for a starting job or, at worst, a backup spot. Rudolph has zero interest in returning to the Steelers."
Shockingly, Kaboly ranked Rudolph fourth on his list of top-10 Steelers free agents this offseason. That includes him being ranked over the likes of Damontae Kazee, Devin Bush and others. It will be interesting to see where he lands, as several teams are in need of a quarterback (or two). He will come very cheap too, and he may even consider a one-year deal to prove himself.
Now, when Rudolph has seen the field in his four-year career, it has come with mixed results. He's started 10 games and appeared in seven more, throwing for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In the 10 starts, Rudolph led the Steelers to a 5-4-1 record.
Wherever he lands, will you be cheering for Rudolph at his new destination? Should he have gotten more of a chance in Pittsburgh, particularly this past season? Where would be a good spot for him to land?
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