The Steelers are anticipated to re-sign Mason Rudolph again.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to bring back the quarterback who led them to an unexpected playoff berth. The team’s entire offseason outlook hinges on the resolution of their quarterback situation, with a couple of roster spots yet to be filled before the commencement of training camp.
In their quest for a capable starting quarterback, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell predicts that the Steelers will successfully secure one of their primary targets in Mason Rudolph. Rudolph concluded the season on a strong note as the starting quarterback, guiding the team to an unexpected playoff spot.
Barnwell categorized free-agent quarterbacks into six tiers, placing Rudolph in the group labeled “Backups likely to earn roster spots,” which is the lowest tier. This group also includes Josh Dobbs, Tyler Huntley, Nate Sudfeld, Mitch Trubisky, and others. Barnwell suggests that players in this tier are likely to secure spots on NFL rosters but may not receive significant guaranteed money, necessitating competition for their roster spots in training camp.
While acknowledging the productivity of both Dobbs and Rudolph in this tier, Barnwell anticipates that Rudolph is likely to re-sign with the Steelers. He estimates that the collective average salary for this group of quarterbacks will be around $1.5 million per season per player.
Rudolph’s performance in the final three games of the regular season, where he completed 74.65% of his passes for 716 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, played a crucial role in the Steelers securing a 3-0 record and clinching the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs.
Contrary to Barnwell’s assessment, the Steelers hold Rudolph in higher regard, as expressed by team owner Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin. Both have expressed a mutual desire to bring Rudolph back, positioning him as a contender for the starting job alongside 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett. While Rudolph is indeed a potential candidate for re-signing with the Steelers, the competition would be for the top spot on the depth chart, not just a roster spot.
