Here's an excerpt from my latest column for TribLive.com:
The Steelers won’t enter a “win now” season with two quarterbacks who have never taken a regular-season snap backing up a creaky 42-year-old.
Mason Rudolph got the Steelers to the playoffs in 2023, starting three games at regular season’s end and winning them all.
Rudolph is a proven No. 2. The Steelers won’t flush that. Nor will they ditch Aaron Rodgers’ ice-cream buddy.
Rudolph is going to get a double scoop of backup duty. Will Howard gets an empty cone.
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It's tough understanding why the citizens are so high on Howard and so down on Rudolph.
Rudolph's numbers from that end-of-the-season run in 2023 were impeccable: 55-for-74, 74.3 percent completion rate, 719 yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions, passer rating of 118.0, 3-0 record.
Rudolph didn't play at all that season 'til Week 15. Minimal practice reps. He got into a groove quickly and delivered.
Fans don't like Rudolph because he looked weak when Cleveland's Myles Garrett tried to brain Rudolph with his own helmet in 2019, and when Rudolph got his facemask cut off after being concussed vs. Baltimore that same season.
But that's dumb.
The notion of Drew Allar and Howard backing up Rodgers is dumb.
Keep Rudolph.
Don't be dumb.
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