Tag: Rudolph

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) out against Bears; Mason Rudolph to start

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not play Sunday against the Bears in Chicago.

He had been listed as questionable due to a fracture in his left (non-throwing) wrist. The injury occurred last Sunday in the Steelers’ 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Veteran backup Mason Rudolph will start in his place.

“He’s not going to play today,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told CBS Sports Sunday morning. “He fought his tail off all week, but that’s the prudent play to make for us as a collective and so he won’t be playing this week. We’ll let Mason start and, obviously, he’s absorbed most of the reps this week.”

The 41-year-old Rodgers has completed 66.4% of his passes (192 of 289) for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 10 games this season, his first with Pittsburgh (6-4).

Rudolph, 30, has spent five of his six NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. He is 8-4-1 in his 13 starts (24 total games) with the Steelers. In three relief appearances this season, Rudolph is 14-of-18 passing (77.8%) for 139 yards with a touchdown.

His start against the Bears (7-3) will be his first this season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws the ball in the first half against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Steelers email fans after Mason Rudolph attends Trump rally

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Some Steelers fans were upset about quarterback Mason Rudolph’s recent appearance at a Donald Trump rally, prompting a response from the team.

Rudolph, along with veteran safety Miles Killebrew and 1970s-era running back Rocky Bleier, presented the U.S. president with a Steelers No. 47 jersey during an event Friday near Pittsburgh.

Some fans were unhappy about it and voiced their complaints with the team, which responded with an email on Monday that reminded fans that the opinions of individual players “do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization.”

“We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong,” read the email, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.”

Rudolph, 29, was asked about the controversy on Wednesday at team workouts.

“There’s backlash every day,” he said. “You look on social media, there’s constant … that’s the nature of social media. That’s why America is so great. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Speech is free. Par for the course.”

Barring the signing of free agent Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph is in line to be the starting quarterback for the Steelers in 2025 following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Rudolph is 9-8-1 as an NFL starter, completing 63.7 percent of his passes for 4,615 yards with 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Steelers (2019-21, 2023) and Tennessee Titans (2024).

Killebrew, 32, is a special teams standout who was selected for the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and first-team All-Pro in 2023. He has 161 tackles and two interceptions in 146 games (five starts) for the Detroit Lions (2016-20) and Steelers (2021-present).

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans Will Levis (8) and quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) take the fieldagainst the Green Bay Packers during pregame warmups at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Titans leaning toward resting QB Will Levis one more week

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Titans coach Brian Callahan plans to afford quarterback Will Levis more time to heal from a shoulder injury, but he’s not ruling him out this week.

The organization view as of Wednesday: Levis is closer to week-to-week than day-to-day after not playing against the Bills in a Week 7 loss (34-10). Mason Rudolph, who started against Buffalo, appears set for another start Sunday when the Lions (5-1) put their four-game winning streak on the line in Detroit.

Callahan said Levis would get some work but his activity will be relatively limited as he strengthens his sprained shoulder. He was first injured in Week 4 when the Titans (1-5) beat the Dolphins. He attempted to fully participate in practice last Thursday but was dialed back to limited the next day.

“We’ll probably give Will one more week,” Callahan said Wednesday. “I’m not necessarily ruling him out but I do think we’re going to take a look and let Mason (Rudolph) take more reps this week to get ready to play and see how Will comes through the week. I think he’s getting better every day and he’ll be out there doing a little bit of work as well, just working back. … There’s nothing official on that at this point, but I’m probably leaning towards Mason one more week.”

Only benched Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett ranks behind Levis (699) among 32 qualified quarterbacks in passing yards. Tennessee ranks 31st in the NFL in total offense and subtracted wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Chiefs on Wednesday.

“It’s part of playing quarterback in the NFL. Guys’ contracts are up, you sign new players. Every year it’s part of that process,” Callahan said.

Levis has completed 66.4 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

In his first season with the Titans, Rudolph is 34-of-57 passing for 300 yards with one touchdown and one pick.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) and running back Najee Harris (22) celebrate after Harris scored a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers stick with QB Mason Rudolph, rule out OLB T.J. Watt

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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph remains the No. 1 quarterback for Pittsburgh as the playoffs begin.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said pass rusher T.J. Watt (knee) is out for the wild-card game with the Buffalo Bills but safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will be back on Sunday.

“We’ll stay with Mason Rudolph,” Tomlin said. “We’re just simply staying with the hot hand, not upsetting the apple cart. He’s been in some tough circumstances, and he’s delivered.”

Rudolph has three touchdowns and no interceptions since taking over for backup-turned-starter Mitchell Trubisky, who was starting in place of injured Kenny Pickett.

“He’s making good decisions. There’s a cumulative body of work. Mason’s been here a long time,” Tomlin said of his confidence in Rudolph.

Fitzpatrick missed the past three games with a knee injury.

He began the week as limited in practice, but Tomlin said that’s more of a precaution than commentary on his readiness to play. He’ll be reunited with strong safety Damontae Kazee, who is back with the Steelers from a three-game suspension for a series of borderline illegal hits.

Watt has 19.0 sacks and helped the Steelers surge into the playoffs with a three-game winning streak to end the season. Alex Highsmith is second on the team with 7.0 sacks, but recorded just one in the past four games.

“Playing without T.J. is significant,” Tomlin said. “It’s not going to be a one-man job replacing T.J. … T.J.’s one of a kind.”

Tomlin consistently repeats the team has a “next man up” mentality and said he will not be surprised when someone steps up and plays well.

“We’ve got depth at that position. I’m comfortable with the quality of depth,” he said. “We have guys that are capable.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) watches from the sidelines before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett denies refusing backup role

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Kenny Pickett denied he refused to play the backup role to quarterback Mason Rudolph and declared such reports disappointing and without merit.

Pickett clarified that the decision to sit came largely from medical personnel assessing his readiness four weeks removed from “tightrope” surgery to accelerate recovery from a high-ankle sprain against Arizona in Week 13. Mitch Trubisky started the next two games, both losses, before Steelers coach Mike Tomlin handed the ball to Rudolph, who is 2-0 as the starter.

Trubisky was the backup to Rudolph on Sunday at Seattle, but Pickett said he was inactive by no choice of his own, despite a post on X by Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden that Pickett “100 percent refused to be the backup” in the loss to the Seahawks.

“I saw reports out there I feel were attacking my character and how I am as a person. There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week as far as me being the (No.) 2 (quarterback),” Pickett said. “If I was healthy enough to play and trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play. If they believed I was not, which they believed I was not, I was not going to dress and suit up for the game. So whoever reported that, don’t know where it started, it’s kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to prove their point or help their standpoint or careers in what you guys (media) do. But disappointing to see that without any proof or basis of it.

“So this week I’m now the 2. They feel good four weeks out of the surgery to dress and be the 2, so I will be the 2 and do what I have to do to get ready for Baltimore.”

Pickett had six touchdowns and four interceptions this season, his second as a starter since being drafted in the first round out of Pitt. He traveled with the team to Seattle last week after being limited in practice.

On Monday, Tomlin said the Steelers would stick with Rudolph in a pivotal regular-season finale at Baltimore. The Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and could rest key players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, in order to hit the postseason at full strength.

“He’s done a good job and we’ve done a good job in the most recent two weeks,” Tomlin said of Rudolph. “We’ve taken care of the ball. He’s taken care of the ball. We’ve scored points at a rate which we hadn’t done to this point this year. And with the urgency of the moment and because of those reasons, we’re going to leave the ball in his hands.”

Rudolph, 28, has completed 68.5 percent of his passes in his three appearances overall for 567 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown an INT.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) gestures at the line of scrimmage against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Hot hand: Steelers to start QB Mason Rudolph at Seattle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mason Rudolph will be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback on Sunday at Seattle, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday.

Rudolph passed for 290 yards and two scores in Saturday’s 34-11 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals to keep playoff hopes alive for the Steelers (8-7).

It was the first start since 2021 for Rudolph, who completed 17 of 27 passes and was only sacked once in Pittsburgh’s final home game of the season.

Rudolph, 28, replaced Mitchell Trubisky, who was benched by Tomlin after losing two starts following the Week 13 ankle injury to starter Kenny Pickett.

Pickett practiced last week on a limited basis and NFL Network reported Tuesday that he would return against the Seahawks.

If Pickett is active, it appears that it will be in a backup role behind Rudolph based on Tomlin’s announcement on Tuesday.

The Steelers are one of four 8-7 teams in the AFC. After visiting the Seahawks (8-7), Pittsburgh finishes the regular season at AFC-leading Baltimore (12-3) on Jan. 7.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (25) reacts after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers releasing CB Ahkello Witherspoon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Pittsburgh Steelers are releasing veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The move would clear $4 million in cap space for the 2023 season.

The Steelers also announced the signings of XFL cornerback Luq Barcoo and wide receiver Hakeem Butler, and the re-signing of quarterback Mason Rudolph. All three received one-year deals for undisclosed amounts.

Witherspoon, 28, played in 13 games (seven starts) over two seasons with Pittsburgh and intercepted four passes.

He has 152 tackles, eight picks and 35 passes defensed in 60 games (40 starts) with the Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20), who drafted him in the third round in 2017.

Barcoo, 24, recorded 31 tackles, one interception and one sack this season for the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas. His NFL experience is limited to three games (one start) with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020.

Butler, 27, caught 51 passes for 599 yards and eight touchdowns for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. He appeared in two games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 but did not catch a pass.

Rudolph, 27, was a third-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2018. He is 5-4-1 as a starter, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 games.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) walks off the field after the win over the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Steelers plan to re-sign QB Mason Rudolph

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back quarterback Mason Rudolph for a sixth season, several reports said Monday.

Rudolph, who started eight games in 2019 for an injured Ben Roethlisberger, was No. 3 on the Steelers’ depth chart last year.

That figures to be where Rudolph will slot in again, with Kenny Pickett the starter and Mitch Trubisky the projected No. 2.

Rudolph, 27, was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and did not play his rookie year. He was thrust into action in 2019 when Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury.

In 10 games (eight starts) that year, Rudolph completed 62.2 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was also at the center of an end-of-game brawl with the Cleveland Browns that saw Browns star Myles Garrett pull Rudolph’s helmet off and strike him in the head with it.

Rudolph last got into a game in 2021. In 17 career games (10 starts) in the NFL, he has thrown for 2,366 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 picks.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) takes the field against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky to start vs. Panthers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky will start Sunday’s game against the host Carolina Panthers, NFL Network reported Saturday.

On Friday, coach Mike Tomlin declined to say whether Trubisky or Mason Rudolph would get the nod at Carolina with rookie starter Kenny Pickett still in concussion protocol.

Trubisky took over last week in a 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after Pickett exited. He was 22-of-30 passing for 276 yards with one touchdown and three costly interceptions.

Trubisky was 1-3 as the starter before being replaced by Pickett. He has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 1,073 yards with four TDs and five picks.

Rudolph, formerly the backup to retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, has been inactive in all 13 games for the Steelers (5-8).

–Field Level Media

May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky (10) and Mason Rudolph (2) participate in organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers not ready to name starting QB vs. Panthers

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Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to declare a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at Carolina.

Rookie starter Kenny Pickett is in concussion protocol and doubtful to play. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph both have worked with the first team in his absence, and Tomlin told reporters Friday he has “some clarity” about his QB situation.

“There’s just no need to land the plane until it’s required to land the plane,” Tomlin said. “I like the work that we’ve gotten from Mitch and Mason this week. Both guys have split reps and seen enough situations, and not only what they’ve done this week, but the totality of what they’ve done makes us extremely comfortable in terms of considering both guys.”

Trubisky took over last week in a 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after Pickett exited. He was 22-of-30 passing for 276 yards and a touchdown. But he threw three crucial interceptions.

“Just got to make a better decisions, just got to protect the football,” Trubisky said. “Made some really good throws out there. We moved the ball up and down the field, but obviously I got to take care of the football, especially down (in) the red zone so we can come away (with) the points. I’m looking forward to bouncing back this week and getting that opportunity.”

Rudolph, formerly the backup to retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, has been inactive in all 13 games for the Steelers (5-8), but wide receiver Diontae Johnson said Rudolph should get a chance against the Panthers (5-8) if Pickett doesn’t play.

“Yeah, I want to see him play,” Johnson said Thursday, per ESPN.

“I know he’s ready to play. I know it’s probably in the back of his mind like, ‘Dang, when I’m going get my chance?’ I feel like this week is it for him. I know he’s going to do everything it takes to be prepared this week, get ready for Sunday.”

Rudolph said this week he was happy to put in meaningful practice time.

“That first play called being back in the huddle and calling plays with the starting offense was fun,” Rudolph said. “And I think I shook off the rust relatively quickly, so it was a good day.”

Rudolph, 27, has appeared in 17 games (10 starts) since the Steelers selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has thrown for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, completing 61.5 percent of his pass attempts.

–Field Level Media