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The Steelers bring back their former third-round draft pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed a quarterback. They are bringing back Mason Rudolph on a two-year deal worth $8 million with $4.5 million guaranteed, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The Steelers drafted Rudolph in the third-round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he would go on to start 13 games for the Steelers from 2018-23.
Rudolph started eight games as a rookie due to Ben Roethlisberger suffering a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Rudolph entered the game and nearly won it, throwing two touchdown passes in his first taste of NFL action. Pittsburgh lost 28-26.
His most notable stretch of games, though, came in 2023. With Kenny Pickett injured and Mitch Trubisky struggling, the Steelers turned to Rudolph against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 7-7 Steelers had slim playoff hopes, but Rudolph threw for 290 yards and two scores to lead the Steelers to a 34-11 win. The Steelers won their next two games against the Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, as well, and snuck into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
This was the first domino in the Steelers parting ways with Kenny Pickett and going with a quarterback room of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024 after Rudolph himself signed with the Titans. He threw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in five starts with Tennessee in 2024, and now returns to Pittsburgh as the likely No. 2 quarterback.