Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph will be making his first start since 2021 when his team takes on the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, but he is remaining focused on the task at hand.
“I’m not worried about showing anything,” Rudolph said, via Dale Lolley of the Steelers’ official team website. “We’re about winning the game this week.
Rudolph is starting in place of Kenny Pickett, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Pittsburgh was originally rolling with Mitchell Trubisky in Pickett’s absence, but Trubisky labored in two starts.
Now, the Steelers have turned back to Rudolph, who won’t be trying to do anything too fancy.
“I think we want to obviously move the chains and score points,” Rudolph said. “But, that doesn’t mean you have to be foolish with the football. That’s it. Find the open guy and take what the defense gives you. Check the ball down when you need to, and don’t try to be the hero. And I think when you think like that, you don’t put too much pressure on yourself and play smooth.”
Rudolph, who played his collegiate football at Oklahoma State, was selected by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He ended up playing 10 games and making eight starts during his sophomore campaign, throwing for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 62.2 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 82.
Rudolph did not show enough for the Steelers to commit to him long term, as he has only made a pair of starts since that 2019 season.
So, what’s the difference between Rudolph now and then? Poise.
“I think when I go out there I’m a little bit more relaxed and calm,” he said. “I understand the game. It’s cliche, but I think it has slowed down, and you gain confidence from that.”
Mason Rudolph and the Steelers are 7-7 on the season and are looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
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