Former Steelers QB makes bold claim about Mason Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers situation

Numerous reports have indicated it's a matter of when and not if the Pittsburgh Steelers will sign veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to be their 2025 Week 1 starter over longtime backup Mason Rudolph.

However, it remains unknown if Rodgers will participate in the portion of the offseason program running from May 19 through Pittsburgh's mandatory minicamp that's scheduled to take place from June 10-12. 

Former Steelers quarterback and current NFL analyst Charlie Batch seems to believe the fact that Rudolph began learning the system run by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in March could result in the 29-year-old being the better option for Pittsburgh come September. 

"He does have a leg up as it relates to learning the offense because he's been here for the last couple months," Batch said about Rudolph during the latest edition of "The Arthur Moats Experience" podcast, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I think the longer it goes towards training camp, I think you have to give the edge to Mason Rudolph because that means he knows the system a little bit better than what Aaron Rodgers [does]."

While Rodgers undeniably has the better resume of the two players, multiple injury setbacks caused him to largely look like a shell of his former great self while with the New York Jets this past season. For a piece published on Monday, ESPN's Matt Bowen noted that Rodgers "can't consistently extend or create on second-reaction plays" at this stage of his Hall of Fame career.

That said, Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL QB1, and he performed like little more than a plug-in option while with the Tennessee Titans during the 2024 season. He completed 64 percent of 228 passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions over five starts and eight regular-season appearances for Tennessee.

Despite such lackluster numbers, Steelers players who were with the club during the 2023 campaign when Rudolph guided it to three straight victories and a playoff berth are reportedly high on what he could offer the 2025 squad in the event that Rodgers either retires or turns Pittsburgh down. It appears Rudolph also has a big fan in Batch. 

"I'm excited for Mason because he's been waiting for this opportunity," Batch added. "...I'm excited because I know this is gonna be his moment. If all things work out, I think he's gonna bring some excitement here for this season."

Batch likely is incorrect, as Bowen mentioned that "all signs are pointing at Rodgers heading to Pittsburgh" as soon as later this week. Rodgers' body has routinely let him down since the fall of 2022, though, so the Steelers may need Rudolph to do more than serve as an unused spectator during the upcoming campaign even if the 41-year-old ends the preseason atop Pittsburgh's depth chart.