Steelers' High-Profile Veterans Learn Brutal Lesson With Russell Wilson And Mason Rudolph

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been everything but certain since the day Ben Roethlisberger decided to hang up his cleats. After drafting Kenny Pickett, the team quickly realized he wasn’t the long-term answer, leading them to pursue Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. However, after just one season, both quarterbacks were allowed to walk in free agency with little resistance, leaving the Steelers to reassess their options.

Now, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson on the roster, uncertainty still looms. The Aaron Rodgers waiting game has only added to the confusion, but recent reports suggest that several Steelers veterans have expressed confidence in Rudolph being the team's starter. This shift in belief has raised questions, especially considering the team's previous enthusiasm for Wilson, with many of the same veterans who once pushed for Wilson now backing Rudolph.

Ray Fittipaldo addressed this question in his Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chat, asking why these veterans were so eager to bring in Wilson, only to openly lobby for Rudolph to take over as the starter after he played a pivotal role in saving the 2023 season. It’s a curious development, especially as Rudolph's return has sparked renewed hope for stability in a quarterback room that’s been anything but predictable in recent years.

"Sometimes, the shiny new toys aren't as reliable as the old ones, are they?" Fittipaldo asked.

What Fittipaldo is getting at here is that maybe those same Steelers veterans took a good, hard look at how the 2024 season played out. Just a year before, they saw Rudolph step in under difficult circumstances and manage to save the season. With very little hope left, he took the reins and somehow managed to steer the Steelers back into playoff contention, something that seemed almost impossible when he first took over.

Fast forward to the end of the 2024 season, and those same veterans watched Wilson falter in critical moments. Yes, it wasn’t all his fault; there were plenty of other factors at play. However, the reality is, he didn’t do enough to put the offense in a position to win the games they needed to win. 

The argument here is that, unlike Rudolph the year before, Wilson didn’t rise to the occasion when the Steelers needed him most. This ultimately led to the decision to let him, along with Fields, walk in free agency. The team was left to wonder if a change in direction was the best course of action after the struggles they endured.

The Steelers have shifted their focus to Rodgers, the now 41-year-old quarterback who guided the New York Jets to only five wins in the 2024 season. Despite his struggles last year, Pittsburgh believes that Rodgers still possesses the talent to elevate their team from a first-round playoff exit to a potential Super Bowl contender. This belief has driven the Steelers to go all in on their pursuit of the veteran QB.

Steelers Still Waiting On Aaron Rodgers To Decide His Plans

Rodgers, however, is still taking his time to make a decision, though rumors suggest that an announcement could come sooner rather than later. Steelers fans, understandably, are growing frustrated with the waiting game. While they have little choice but to remain patient, there’s a growing sense that if Rodgers doesn’t choose Pittsburgh, Rudolph could find himself in prime position to lead the Steelers in 2025. 

Whether that’s a positive or negative outcome is still a matter of debate among fans, but it’s clear Rudolph is a candidate for the job, for better or for worse in the eyes of many. All eyes remain on the Steelers as many wait to see what happens with Rodgers and the quarterback room.