Categories

Steelers’ Mason Rudolph Seemingly Shades Team Legend

Mason Rudolph
NFL Analysis Network

Did Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph just take a shot at Ben Roethlisberger?

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rudolph seemed to reference Roethlisberger when discussing how great the Steelers’ communication has been as a team.

“No matter who’s been playing, there’s been great communication. Everyone is truly trying to make the other person better,” Rudolph said, via Brian Batko of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “There’s been other times when it’s been not as cohesive as a group and people aren’t as forthcoming with ‘Hey, how do we help?'”

Of course, it’s entirely possible that Rudolph was not even thinking about Roethlisberger when he made that comment, but it’s hard to ignore the history of the two signal-callers.

Back when Pittsburgh took Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Roethlisberger did not seem too happy.

“I was surprised they took a quarterback because I thought maybe in the third round you can get some really good players that can help this team win now,” Roethlisberger said at the time. “If they feel like he can help our team, so be it, but I was a little surprised.”

Perhaps Rudolph still remembers Roethlisberger’s remarks.

It’s also worth noting that Roethlisberger has been critical of the Steelers in recent weeks, pointing out the locker-room issues, criticizing the coaching and saying that the “Steeler Way” may be extinct.

Rudolph and Roethlisberger were teammates for four years between 2018 and 2021. The former started eight games when Roethlisberger was injured in 2019 and started 10 games overall while Big Ben was still in the league.

This past weekend marked Rudolph’s first start since 2021. He was a smashing success, going 17-for-27 with 290 yards and a couple of touchdowns in a blowout win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pittsburgh is 8-7 and is currently ninth in the AFC playoff standings. The Indianapolis Colts hold the seventh and final playoff spot with the same 8-7 record, but they hold the tiebreaker. The Houston Texans (8-7) are in front of the Steelers for the same reason.

Mason Rudolph and Co. will take on the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday before wrapping up the regular season when they meet the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 7.

Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.

Share on Facebook
Share On Twitter

Dallas Cowboys Linked to Ludicrous Trade for Steelers Superstar

The Dallas Cowboys have done very little this offseason, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise given their miserable financial situation. But could they

Pittsburgh Steelers Linked to Risky Weapon to Fill Massive Hole

The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly have a pretty big hole in their backfield after losing Najee Harris to free agency, and while Harris wasn’t exactly a

Steelers Send Star WR to AFC Rival in Wild Trade Idea

Would the Pittsburgh Steelers seriously jettison one of their top wide receivers after literally just acquiring D.K. Metcalf? It seems rather outlandish, as the Steelers