Rudolph Blasts Titans After Steelers Reunion

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a thing for continuity. With three coaches since the moon landing and a tendency to run back teams with the same issues year after year, Steelers fans have grown used to knowing what to expect.

Apparently, Pittsburgh’s proclivity for the familiar extends to backup quarterbacks.

In the opening days of free agency, the team signed quarterback Mason Rudolph to a two-year, $7.5 million deal. He had spent the season prior with the Tennessee Titans after playing out five seasons in Western Pennsylvania.

He’s back in the fold on a deal that suggests he’ll be a backup. However, as free agent Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned, Rudolph is in line to battle with sixth-round rookie Will Howard and presumably start if nobody is added to the room.

Tennessee, of course, finished with the first pick, face-planting through 2024 and eventually benching Will Levis for Rudolph, who had five starts.

The Steelers quarterback ripped the Titans after his one-year stint away from home.

"I think it was just good, for like, perspective," Rudolph told Mark Kaboly. "I think it makes me appreciate Pittsburgh and the way they do things here. And the way that the front office operates, and the ownership, just top down. Getting an outside, fresh perspective makes you appreciate what we have in Pittsburgh here so much more."

Rudolph left town in search of playing time. With Levis’ unsteady play, that became an inevitability. Still, he struggled, winning just one game. Rudolph completed 64 percent of his passes while throwing nine touchdowns and as many interceptions.

Rudolph kept the train on the tracks, adequately filling the role of a backup quarterback, but there’s little to suggest he’d find much success as the Steelers' starter.

For now, he’ll enter camp atop the depth chart. He isn’t necessarily familiar with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, but the culture and expectations won’t be new to him.

Armed with receiver DK Metcalf, an improving offensive line, and a running game with more juice than his last stint with the Steelers, Rudolph won’t be asked to carry the load offensive. At the very least, fans should expect a similar brand of competence to years past with Rudolph under center.