Steelers' Mason Rudolph hasn't requested a trade despite demotion

The hot topic of the summer months regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers involved speculation about if rookie and first-round draft choice Kenny Pickett could do anything to win the starting quarterback job over free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky. 

Trubisky was the heavy favorite among insiders to earn the gig throughout the process and was ultimately named QB1 for the Week 1 game at the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. Pickett will be Pittsburgh's primary backup for that contest, leaving Mason Rudolph as the third option on the depth chart. 

Rudolph completed 26-of-36 passes for 220 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first two preseason appearances but admitted before the final exhibition contest that he "would have enjoyed taking some more first-team reps." It was later reported that the Steelers aren't yet keen on sending Rudolph to any interested clubs even though he's surplus to requirements and on track to hit free agency this coming winter, and Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk noted that the 27-year-old told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he isn't requesting a trade even though he's been demoted to QB3. 

"I thought I played well," Rudolph said of his preseason appearances. "I think I’m going to have a chance to play in this league as a quarterback for a long time. I’m confident in that. I wanted more first-team reps, but anyone who is a competitor would. 

"I think I got much better from last year throwing the ball, understanding [offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s] offense where you feel the most ready you’ve ever been. You feel like, hey, I should have more reps, but that’s not the hand I’ve been dealt." 

Rudolph holds an NFL career regular-season record of 5-4-1 as a starter and has played in 17 total games. He's completed 236-of-384 passes for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.