PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Waiting for a chance to get back into an NFL game for the first time in nearly two years, Mason Rudolph is now a snap away. What he said about patience, the offense and the chants for him on Thursday.
Back to being the back-up quarterback, Rudolph hasn't played since December 26, 2021. He had some success in the preseason going 7-12 for 132 yards with a touchdown in the game against Tampa Bay. In 17 career NFL games (10 starts), he's completed 62% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He's not said anything bad about either quarterback in front of him, just working in practice and waiting his time.
"Patience is a fruit of the spirit," Rudolph said. "I think I've been practicing patience for a long time. It doesn't matter if you don't take the opportunity when it comes to you and seize it."
The 28-year-old was careful not to step on toes with his speech. Rudolph side-stepped a question about if he's been treated fairly, he instead took a big-picture approach to where he is.
"I'm a back-up quarterback right now in the NFL," Rudolph said Tuesday. "I'm very thankful. You think about how much work it takes for all of these guys in this locker room to get to this level."
"I'm going to be sharp. I'm going to stay sharp all week. I'll be ready if and when my number is called. It's a day-by-day process."
He's noticed all of the back-up quarterbacks getting opportunities, including the QB the Steelers will face on Saturday, Indianapolis' Gardner Minshew. He said what their success means to him is that they were prepared and working hard while they waited. He said he's been doing the same thing.
Now being just one injury away from being the guy, it's elevated his preparedness.
"I'm be lying if I said it hasn't changed at all," Rudolph said. "When you know as a three (third-string quarterback) you can only play due to emergency injury, statistics say it's a pretty low chance of that happening."
"When you are one play away, does it create a little more urgency, yes. And it's more exciting. I love to play football. Love to be on a team and put your hand in the pile, but you also love to play. That's a little more real this week."
'Mason Rudolph, Mason Rudolph'
He could have said insincerely that he didn't hear it. The chants were loud in the first half on Thursday against the Patriots-the four syllable calls for Rudolph to come into the game.
"I've been on both sides of that," Rudolph said. "It's cliché, but all I was trying to do was look at the I-Pads and help the collective offense make corrections and get ready for the next drive. You really can't let yourself get caught up in that because then you lose focus, it affects your mental state."
"It's nice to be liked. We have passionate fans, but you can't let that enter your mind for a second."
Offense
After finally eclipsing 400 yards against the Bengals, a pair of games last week where the Steelers offensive struggled.
"I think you saw some positive signs in Cincinnati, attacking more of the middle of the field," Rudolph said. "I thought Coach Sullivan called a good game there and Kenny played well. I think there was a really good balance. We ran the ball well. We threw it well. We play-action passed."
"Just looking for balance and there is no secret to that. It's executing and having a great practice each and every day and starting off strong in the week, which we did."
