It took until the fourth day of NFL free agency. But the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed a quarterback. The quarterback, though, wasn’t Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson. It also obviously wasn’t Justin Fields or Sam Darnold, who have already inked deals with other teams, but Mason Rudolph.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on March 13 that the Steelers agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with Rudolph. The contract includes $4.5 million guaranteed.
“Rudolph mulled multiple offers, including a return to the Titans, but was motivated to head back to Pittsburgh,” wrote Garafolo.
A Steel City reunion: QB Mason Rudolph has agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with $4.5 million to return to the #Steelers, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Rudolph mulled multiple offers, including a return to the #Titans, but was motivated to head back to Pittsburgh.
Rudolph is returning to Pittsburgh after one season with the Tennessee Titans. He started five games, going 1-4 with Tennessee last year. He completed 64% of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
In 2023, Rudolph won three starts with the Steelers, leading them on an improbable three-game winning streak to end the regular season after three consecutive losses to begin December. Behind the three wins, the Steelers earned the final AFC playoff spot with a 10-7 record.
Rudolph is 9-8-1 in his career as a starting NFL quarterback. He went 8-4-1 as a starter in five years with the Steelers.
Steelers Re-Signing Mason Rudolph
Pittsburgh bringing back Rudolph will be a shocker to some fans. But DK Pittsburgh Sports’ Dejan Kovacevic reported on March 11 that the Steelers had reached out to Rudolph to gauge his interest level in returning to the black and gold.
“Plain and simple—Omar Khan did reach out to that side [Rudolph’s camp] and let them know that the Steelers are interested in bringing Mason back,” Kovacevic wrote, via Steelers Wire’s Andrew Vasquez. “Mason is a free agent, obviously not one of the high-profile free agents where he would have been discussed long before this.
“The goal there is to kind of have him in a support role for, in all likelihood, Aaron Rodgers.”
As Kovacevic indicated, the Steelers are likely bringing back Rudolph to serve as a backup next season. If the team gets its wish, Rudolph will be Rodgers’ backup.
All Signs Point to Steelers Signing Aaron Rodgers
While re-signing Rudolph will surprise a lot of fans, the signing really is just confirmation that the Steelers are all-in on Rodgers.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac suggested with a report on March 11 that Rodgers was the team’s preference over Wilson.
Other insiders reported on March 12 that the Steelers and Rodgers were far away in terms of financial compensation. But Dulac contradicted that with his March 12 update.
“Apparently, the delay in the Aaron Rodgers discussion with the Steelers is not about money,” Dulac wrote on X. “The offer has been made.
“It’s about Rodgers taking his good ol’ time about making a decision.”
On March 12, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport retweeted a picture of Rodgers appearing to be deep in thought while walking on a beach.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio argued Rodgers was “milking the fact that he’s the center of attention.”
Before March 13, the Steelers had to be concerned about losing other free agent quarterbacks to competing teams while waiting for Rodgers to decide his future. But with Rudolph now in the fold, the Steelers can wait out Rodgers taking his time to make a decision.
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