In fairness to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, it’s not as if he has truly been a “bust.” Sure, every team would love to find the next Russell Wilson or Dak Prescott in the middle rounds, but the more realistic hope is landing a reliable backup under center.
In his second season, the No. 76 overall pick made eight starts for the Steelers in place of an injured Ben Roethlisberger. He threw for 1,765 yards, tossed 13 touchdown passes and won five games. He started six more games over the next three years, including a three-win streak in 2023 when he didn’t throw an interception.
After a one-year stint in Tennessee, Rudolph was back in the Steel City last year, making one start for an injured Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph is .500 in 19 career starts, completing 64.4 percent of his passes with 30 touchdowns, 22 picks and a passer rating of 84.7.
Rudolph isn’t a star, and he’s unlikely to be a long-term NFL starter. But it also wouldn’t be surprising if, five years from now, he is still in the league as a trusted backup, holding a clipboard, making the occasional start and earning a solid paycheck.
