PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The reps split Wednesday at Steelers practice between Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky as the chance of Rudolph starting doesn't seem now like a farfetched story.
Rudolph has been the Steelers third-string quarterback since Training Camp and has never created issues. He's been a team-first guy and said it really wasn't throwing that was new, because he did that on the side, but being out there with the first-teamers again.
"The first play-call being back in the huddle and calling plays with the starting offense," Rudolph said Wednesday. "It was fun. I think I shook off the rust relatively quickly. It was a good day."
While he's been waiting for this opportunity, Rudolph said he's made the best of it. He said he begged for a couple of reps in the practices leading up to the bye week. This is his first work with the regulars since August.
"Stay positive, talked to Coach Moore," Rudolph said. "The legendary coach who coached Peyton Manning back in the day, he offered some encouragement. He said 'you don't know when your opportunity is going to come, but you can always be ready for it. It's the only thing you can do'. That's the way I've tried to approach this year."
Rudolph met Tom Moore as he visited Training Camp his rookie season as Moore is friends with former Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. The fourth-year Steelers quarterback wasn't aware Moore coached wide receivers for a couple of Steelers Super Bowls and then was Chuck Noll's offensive coordinator for a better part of the 1980s.
Rudolph says he doesn't know how it will play out with Kenny Pickett's concussion. He wasn't going to speculate as to how Pickett was doing or what potentially could happen with his health.
"I've experienced starting the game, coming into the game," Rudolph said. "Whatever happens I will be ready. I'm prepared for it. It would be great to get on the field and play football again, it would be awesome."
Until he finds out any more details, which could happen as early as Thursday or may not happen until Sunday, he said he will prepare as if he is the starter. But Rudolph said it's not about how he plays or getting to show what he can do, it's about finding a way to win the game.
"I love this team, well at least my teammates, try to be there for them," Rudolph said. "Prepping in the third string role as best I can. I enjoy going to work with everybody."
