We are learning more about Mason Rudolph’s one-year extension.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the deal that makes Rudolph Steeler through 2022 is worth $5 million and includes “up to $4 million additional in incentives based on playtime.”
With that extension, Rudolph is the only quarterback under contract for the Steelers in 2022, with Ben Roethlisberger’s deal lasting through the end of the 2021 season.
Roethlisberger will be 39-year-old during the upcoming season.
The Steelers also have Josh Dobbs signed on a one-year deal and former 1st round pick Dwayne Haskins is signed to a Reserve/Futures contract.
The signing of Rudolph signals they are going to at least give him a chance to be the heir apparent to Big Ben.
Rudolph has started in nine NFL games in his career going 5-4 during that time.
He played in one game in 2020, playing well in the final regular season game against the Cleveland Browns, throwing two touchdowns and 324 yards with one interception.
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After Roethlisberger went down with an elbow injury in 2019, Rudolph came in to lead the team but injuries and subpar play led the Steelers to go with Devlin Hodges for six games. He went 3-3 in that span.
A lot can happen in a year, but it looks like the Steelers will at least give Rudolph one more chance to show them he can lead the offense.
Of course, if Haskins can show the Steelers he has grown and matured into a high-level NFL QB like he was believed to be, the point could be moot.