PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – NFL Trade Deadline at 4p on Tuesday, Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph says he has not requested a trade.
“I don’t think it really helps anybody,” Rudolph said Monday. “The team has the control at the end of the day. I will leave that with my agent. I want to be here because I’m currently a Pittsburgh Steeler. Whenever my contract comes up in March, I’ll come to that fork in the road when I get there. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and keep staying sharp for my opportunity.”
That opportunity has not come. A year ago, thoughts had to be there, especially when Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement and Rudolph was the only quarterback under contract for a few months for the 2022 season. While he started camp as the number two QB, first-round pick Kenny Pickett first moved into that role and is now obviously the starter.
The 27-year-old Rudolph hasn’t even dressed for a game this season.
“It’s definitely hard,” Rudolph said. “It will test your will. It’s adversity. It’s about what attitude you have. I could have checked out mentally and ‘woe is me’ or you can say ‘hey, I know I’m going to get an opportunity. I’m a good quarterback. I know I’m going to play at some point in this league’.
“Keep sharpening your skills. I think that will always come back to you at the end, doing the right thing.”
Until then the 2018 third-round pick said his focus is being a good teammate. Helping wherever he can and try to stay sharp whether he gets an opportunity with the Steelers or someone else.
“I think about it for sure, I haven’t heard anything,” Rudolph said of any potential trade. “I think typically if something were serious or going to happen you would hear something from the team or the rumor mill.”
“We’ll see, I don’t anticipate it. Crazier things have happened.”