The Pittsburgh Steelers added a quarterback on Thursday, but it wasn't a big name like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson.
NFL Media insiders Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported QB Mason Rudolph agreed to a two-year, $8M deal. Rudolph played for Pittsburgh from 2018-23 before spending one season with the Tennessee Titans.
"On the surface, quarterback Mason Rudolph returns to Pittsburgh as the backup to Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson," wrote Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio Thursday. "At a deeper level, Rudolph possibly becomes the insurance policy against failing to land either Rodgers or Wilson."
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Wilson, 36, met with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. He's scheduled to meet with the New York Giants on Friday.
On Wednesday, the New York Jets released Rodgers, via ESPN's Rich Cimini.
Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers have already made an offer to Rodgers, 41, but he's still taking time to decide.
The Minnesota Vikings could still be in play for Rodgers. On Wednesday, The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Michael Silver reported, "The four-time MVP is intrigued by the idea of playing in Minnesota."
If both veteran QBs pass on the Steelers, Rudolph could be a stopgap. In his first six seasons with the Steelers, he had an 8-4-1 starting record in the regular season.
To further solidify the position, Pittsburgh could draft a project QB. In Tankathon's latest mock draft, the Steelers take Texas QB Quinn Ewers (6-foot-2, 214 pounds) with pick No. 83 in the third round.
Rolling with Rudolph in Week 1 wouldn't be ideal for Pittsburgh, but at least he seems like an adequate fallback plan. Plus, the Steelers probably wouldn't win their seventh Super Bowl with Rodgers or Wilson. In 2024, Rodgers ranked 25th in the league in QBR (48 in 17 games), while Wilson was 22nd (51.3 in 11 games).
