LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – The most experienced quarterback in terms of training camps in Latrobe (now his sixth), Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph said they got off to a great start on Wednesday. The 30-year-old speaks to his value on this roster.
Rudolph is not a stranger to competition, he started as a third-round pick fighting to be the Steelers backup. He had a camp where he potentially battled to be the starter and now it’s about being the backup for a second straight year with much tighter competition from Will Howard, so much so his roster spot might be on the line.
Steelers went through OTAs and mini-camp, that Rudolph attended, with Howard leading many of the drills in few days Aaron Rodgers wasn’t there, and then backing up Rodgers the other days. The day before Steelers training camp began, head coach Mike McCarthy announced Rudolph would get all of the second team reps.
Asked about the value of that distinction entering his seventh NFL season, Rudolph briefly paused and gave this answer.
“I love getting any reps I can get, that's how I've treated it my whole career,” Rudolph said. “Any rep you can get in an NFL training camp is special and you work so hard for those all off season your whole life. I've never cared whether it's twos, threes, fours, you know, treating the rep like it's a game rep is the most important thing.”
Rudolph said he expected to get fewer reps in the Spring. Injury cut short Howard’s rookie season and Allar is in his first year, but Rudolph never questioned his place on this roster.
“This is a veteran team, we're trying to win now,” Rudolph said in late May. “We don't bring back Aaron Rodgers if you don't want to win, now. Cam Hayward, these guys have been around a long time, and we want to make a playoff push. And I know that I can contribute with that veteran culture.”
“I've won games here. I know, I'm capable of winning games. My number has been called upon. That's what I've done.”
Breaking down Steelers 1st training camp practice
Beyond Rodgers as the starter, Rudolph said the quarterback rotation is fluid. It changes every day, which he said isn’t just exclusive to the Steelers.
“There’s a handful of guys on offense that are set in stone starters that are highly paid,” Rudolph said. “But just about everybody else is, it’s a what-have-you-done-for-me lately league.”
And Rudolph adds that applies to practices and training camp, not just games.
While the starting quarterback won a Super Bowl with McCarthy, it’s Rudolph’s first time with the Greenfield native, and he said he likes the change.
“I love everything about Mike Tomlin, but I really love Coach McCarthy's attention to detail and the way that he's installed, basically, our whole offense,” Rudolph said. “He's been around so many great quarterbacks and he's got 30, 40 years of calling two-minute plays, and so that's a big emphasis you saw (Wednesday). So it's been fun to just pick up anything that he's installing.”
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He makes a valid point about a veteran team needing a veteran backup. A few years ago he was pushed aside and then lead the Steelers to the playoffs winning three straight games. How much does this coaching staff value that performance while wrestling with the potential of Howard and Drew Allar?
Mason discusses role on team after 1st practice
Mason discusses role on team after 1st practice
