MEMO: Trading Mason Rudolph just makes sense. It saves the team $3 million, basically which was their plan in the first place. He had his chance to improve for four(4) years, now it’s time for #NextManUp He is just too much like Landry Jones, good one day..bad the next. No consistency whatsoever.
Although he played fairly well against the Seahawks on Saturday, that was basically an audition for other teams who absolutely NEED a quarterback. I mean let’s face it..they didn’t sign Trubisky and draft two quarterbacks if they had trust in Rudolph.
“A former NFL GM told me thinks Mason Rudolph could be traded to the Lions by the end of the week,” tweeted 93.7’s Andrew Fillipponi.
The trade just makes sense. The Steelers didn't sign Trubisky and draft two quarterbacks if they had trust in Rudolph. https://t.co/7idnsuwVxK
To be honest it is a good problem to have, with two 1st round draft picks and a 3rd round pick as your quarterbacks. But at this point and time it is time for Rudolph to get a change of scenery. Because he will not be the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh..that’s a given.
Plus, if you cannot beat the Cleveland Browns on a regular basis you will not be the quarterback for our team for long. #HereWeGo
Steelers quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett during OTA’s
The scenario is reminiscent of the 2004 NFL Season, when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger in the first round to become the backup quarterback for Tommy Maddox. Now..18 years later, the past has come back to BLESS US once again.
Even after the acquisition of former Chicago Bears/Buffalo Bills free agent quarterback Mitch Trubisky, it was written in stone that Pittsburgh was definitely going to draft another QB. Basically because it had been very well documented that Mason Rudolph was not going to be Big Ben’s predecessor, even after the passing of Dwayne Haskins.
Mitch Trubisky embarrasses the Cincinnati Bengals
Enter Kenny Pickett, the 20th overall first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Pitt, and the next in line as the starting Steelers quarterback. That is after Trubisky gets to show his skills off of course.
Mitch Trubisky, a former first round pick himself (2nd overall) in 2017 is more primed to take the reigns at the start of the season. Accumulating 10,652 yards, 64 touchdowns and only 38 interceptions, while rocking a 29-21 record. Might I also add that he is also 3-0 versus AFC North teams. Those 3 being the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett at NFL Combine
Like Roethlisberger, Pickett comes in with zero NFL experience but with the same major upsides as a rookie. He is mobile like Ben was..he can read a pro-style defense like Ben..and he has got an accurate canon of an arm like Ben did. Not to mention playing in the same stadium that he did in college doesn’t hurt either.
Hence the reminiscent of 2004. Trubisky is Maddox..Pickett is Roethlisberger. Mitch will start this season and continue to be the starter, barring some unforseen injury or lack of production. Until either of those come to fruition, Kenny Pickett will soak up all he can to be prepared to step in when need be.
In the 52 games Pickett played at Pitt University he went 32-20, including 11-2 in his 13 appearances in the 2021 NCAA Season, where the Panthers finished with an ACC Championship.
Recently Pittsburgh Steelers free agent quarterback, Mitch Trubisky told Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gary Dulac that he was not made aware that the Steelers planned on drafting a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft..let alone two. At least that’s what the NFL media would lead you to believe.
“I knew coming in to the situation, wherever I was going to go, I would have to come in, compete, earn the trust of my teammates and get back on the field with hard work and my talent and being a leader on this team,” Trubisky said, “We didn’t have those (draft) conversations, but I knew it was a possibility wherever I went.”
But of course the media drug it out to be a controversy in the Pittsburgh organization, of course nothing could be further from the truth.
“I really wasn’t surprised,” Trubisky said. “We needed to add to the quarterback room and that’s what we did.”
My whole take on this is that the Pittsburgh Steelers were not obligated to tell Mitch Trubisky, a free agent who had yet to play a single snap in the Black & Gold what their plans were. He was mainly brought in as a security blanket because the organization did/does not believe in Mason Rudolph.
If anything, the Steelers drafting Pitt’s quarterback, Kenny Pickett to compete along side of him is a blessing for Trubisky. He got what he expected to get. A chance to compete for the number one spot. No one is just going to be handed the position. Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t..what makes the latter any different? #HereWeGo
This has been a question looming around since the signing the 2nd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Mitch Trubisky. At the time the Pittsburgh Steelers expected a three-way competition between two other quarterbacks, Mason Rudolph and the late Dwayne Haskins(RIP).
But now with the drafting of University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, the competition/battle is back on according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I expect it to be fierce because I know all three guys. I don’t expect anyone to take a backseat,” Tomlin told NFL Network’s Rich Eisen on The Rich Eisen Show Wednesday. “The challenge is from a structure standpoint. Are we providing enough of a platform for all the guys to show what they’re capable of? And so that’s going to be the challenge component of it. I’m excited about watching these guys compete, just like I am at any position where you’ve got some viable options. So, we will proceed with that understanding that it’s going to be challenging from an organization standpoint, but it’s a good challenge and I’m excited about watching those guys perform.”
SO LET US EXAMINE :
MASON RUDOLPH:
Photo courtesy of Bleacher Report
It is no secret that I am not a big fan of Mason Rudolph, basically because he reminds me of a previous quarterback named Landry Jones, who just couldn’t seem to get it right.
He has a mediocre record in 10 starts amassing a 5-4-1 record, throwing for 2,331 yards..16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. But the main reason I believe he should not..and will not be the starting QB is because he CAN’T BEAT THE CLEVELAND BROWNS! Hasn’t..and probably never will.
Being Rudolph is not as mobile as the other two quarterbacks in this competition, not to mention a fourth QB in Chris Oladokun drafted out of South Dakota State. I honestly see him being traded unless he makes some major improvements. Giving Mason a ➖ once again, because I just don’t think he has it.
MITCH TRUBISKY:
Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated
After being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round (2nd overall) in the 2017 draft, Trubisky has had his good times and his bad times on the NFL football field.
In his four seasons with Chicago, he accumulated a very respectable 10,519 yards, 64 touchdowns and 37 interceptions were the good times.. After being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2021 stepping in for another former first round pick, Josh Allen, Trubisky hit the bad times. But a change of scenery can always help.
The plus side is, since 2018 Trubisky is 25-13 as a starter and is a perfect 3-0 versus the AFC North. All of which were against every other team but the Pittsburgh Steelers. So that is definitely a big ➕ for me.
KENNY PICKETT:
Photo courtesy of the New York Post
Pickett, the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers was considered to be the “Most NFL Ready” quarterback available. Obviously, since he was the only QB drafted in the first round, but negative talks about his hand size caused a lot of disagreements in the team’s pick.
During his time at Pitt from 2017 to 2021, Kenny passed for 12,303 yards, 81 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. Ending with a 138.3 rating, averaging 7.3 yards per pass. Cap it off with 723 total rushing yards just adds to the ➕ side.
What makes Pickett a viable #1 starter for the Steelers is that his numbers since a freshman at Pitt have done nothing but go up. Going from 1969 yards as the starter as a sophomore, to 4,319 yards as a senior. The issue about his small hands was debunked during his Pro Day.
In short, the quarterback battle is basically going to be between Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, with Mason Rudolph and Chris Oladokun looking to fill the 3rd spot. Let me know your thoughts below. #HereWeGo
According to Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph most likely will not be on the 53 man roster at the start of the season. Something that became evident after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett(20th) and Chris Oladokun(241st) picks overall.
I mean let’s face it, we all saw this coming, it’s just that Rudolph just doesn’t fit the Pittsburgh mold. But even Mitch Trubisky, who was signed by the Steelers in the offseason as the apparent front-runner as the starter will have to battle for that spot.
“Regardless what role Pickett will eventually assume in the offense, the reality is his arrival puts Trubisky in an awkward, tenuous position,” Dulac said on Sunday. “Six weeks ago, Trubisky’s signing in free agency was met with much hope and anticipation — a former No. 2 overall pick looking to pull a Ryan Tannehill-like resurrection with the Steelers. Now, after one bad game, maybe even just one interception, all he will hear is the fans crying for Pickett.The same is true for Rudolph, though he is likely to be traded before the season rather than be the starter.”
Now retired General Manager, Kevin Colbert expressed his semi-faith in Mason Rudolph after the retirement of proverbial Hall of Fame quarterback “Big” Ben Roethlisberger. But the signing of the former Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, Trubisky showed he was not all that confident as he made it out to be.
“If we started a season today, Mason would be our starter,” said Colbert. “He’s 5-4-1 as a starter. We’re excited to see what’s next for Mason.”
“We know we’re going to add to the position, I can’t tell you how at this point. We will go to camp with four. If we had to start today with Mason as our starter, let’s go. We’ll try to build the best team around him.”
Mason is due to earn just over $3 million this season. But, if Pittsburgh were to cut Rudolph , it would only result in a dead money cap hit of just over $1 million. Which means the Steelers could trade or release him with little damage to the salary cap.
Look at it this way..if Mason Rudolph completely outshines 7th round draft pick Oladokun, then he has a chance. But if Oladokun comes into OTAs and training camp the way the Steelers expect him to, Rudolph is definitely gone. IMO #HereWeGo
Look..I get it. Many of us Pittsburgh Steelers are most likely scratching our craniums over the recent signing of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Wondering why the organization didn’t go after a DeShaun Watson or even a Jimmy Garoppolo. Well..their is a definite method to this madness, and I believe I know what it may be.
So without further ado..#HereWeGo
1) Despite the accolades coming from “soon-to-be” retired general manager Kevin Colbert, Mason Rudolph was not going to be the Steelers offensive leader this season..or any season for that matter. So for him to make such an asinine comment while heading out the door was somewhat laughable to me.
The fact that Rudolph has been sub-par as a backup to “BIG” Ben Roethlisberger and could not for his life beat the Cleveland Browns is fact of that.
2) Enter Mitch Trubisky. Once again although I was confused about his signing at first. I now comprehend what the Steelers are up to, and that is to basically stir the QB Pot. Because let’s face it, the organization is not looking to Trubisky to be the successor to #7. If that were so, why did the Buffalo Bills draft Josh Allen last season? 🤔
Even with the 2-year deal that Mitch Trubisky signed, he is not the answer and I am sure he knows this. Just bargaining chip for the organization to get what they want for the long haul. Like the signing of Dwayne Haskins last off-season, that coaxed Roethlisberger to reconsider retirement..the signing of Trubisky just means to the other QB’s “SHOW IF YOU’RE WORTH IT” or you’re out the door.
THE OBVIOUS: Pittsburgh will still be drafting a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, whether that be Malik Willis, Kenny Picket(via trade up) or another remains to be seen. And with that pick it will push each and every quarterback on the roster to the limit. Because each will be wondering who will get that notice to empty their locker.
Keep in mind..Trubisky has a chance to start this season and most likely looking at the depth chart will. But do you really see him, Rudolph or Haskins as a mentor to the incoming quarterback? Two 1st Rounders..one third(Rudolph)..neither can lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to another Super Bowl. But the quarterback the Steelers will draft in the first round like Big Ben definitely will. Mark my words. #HereWeGo
Come on now! Seriously? Are Pittsburgh Steelers fans and the NFL media still trying to entertain the notion that Mason Rudolph should actually be the next starting quarterback for the “Black & Gold?” Well here..let me correct that ridiculous notion/thought by giving you all one reason why it won’t..should it nor “NEVER” happen.
“BECAUSE MASON RUDOLPH CANNOT EVEN BEAT THE CLEVELAND BROWNS..THAT’S WHY!”
The Infamous HelmetGate Game
Mason was pure trash in that game. 23 for 44 with only 221 yards? Not to mention only 1 touchdown against 4 interceptions. Allowing Baker Mayfield to get the easy win.
Gives Cleveland A Playoff Berth
Although a slightly better game versus the Browns, Rudolph did lead a comeback in the last game of the 2020 season. Only to allow the Browns to earn a ticket into the playoffs for the first time since 2002. UNACCEPTABLE!
I mean let’s face it, Rudolph going into his 4th season with the Steelers just isn’t starting material. What I mean is he is not that good, regardless of what GM Kevin Colbert (soon to be gone) had to say recently.
Photo courtesy of Steelers Depot
“We have confidence that if the season started today, Mason would be our starter,” Colbert said. “We’re excited to see where that can go. … We’re excited to see what is next for Mason.”
“If” the season started today. Thank GOD it doesn’t start today. Because if it did, Pittsburgh would be in a world of hurt. Guess I see why Colbert is on his way out the door, because he is definitely becoming delusional.
Former Steelers CB, Ryan Clark..(someone with questionable comments)..gave a rather spot on commentary regarding Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation. A commentary I definitely agree with.
Photo courtesy of Steelersworld1.com
“If Mason Rudolph is the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering 2022, they are no longer the Pittsburgh Steelers I love or the fans of Pittsburgh love.”
Is he lying though? No. Pittsburgh Steelers President, Art Rooney stated nearly a year ago that Mason Rudolph can be a starter “IN THIS LEAGUE.” Never did he say for the Pittsburgh Steelers. To me, and anyone who knows professional football..he is just another Landry Jones. #HereWeGo
STEELERS WORLD 1 