We’re talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re talking about the future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. We are talking about a maximum limit of $ 41 million.
It is therefore no wonder that the dialogue about Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh has attracted so much attention. There is not much more to summarize further in terms of impact.
Unless you are Mason Rudolph.
Yes, your future is very much tied to what will happen to Roethlisberger. In addition to confirming his relationship with Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard, we haven’t heard much from Rudolph in this off-season.
This is smart. It is not as if he had the influence to demand an exchange like some of the other defenders who made noise in this off-season.
He could order one, I suppose. And perhaps the Steelers would agree. But I don’t know why they would feel compelled to do that. Nor do I think such a move would be so beneficial to Rudolph.
I can’t think of a situation where he could go anywhere and be immediately designated as something better than the second defender. So it’s probably better to stick with the system he knows than to be pushed to another with the free agency coming up after the end of the 21 season.
Unless Rudolph really sees a threat in the newly acquired Dwayne Haskins passing him through the ranks. So it’s a totally different discussion.
But again, not that I think he could do much about it.
As far as I could tell, Rudolph respects Roethlisberger’s legacy and his desire to play another year. He also understands the Steelers’ inclination to make this happen.
Still, from a competitive point of view, Rudolph internally expected Roethlisberger to retire. Or for the Steelers to cut it. Not just because he would be the first in line to be the replacement for 2021. But he would also audition for this franchise and the rest of the NFL for a new 2022 contract.
That said, Rudolph would still be playing the same lackluster racing game, wide receivers and rebuilt offensive line that Roethlisberger will be receiving.
Not an easy task for a Super Bowl-winning veterinarian like Roethlisberger. Imagine what it would be like for a 26-year-old guy with just nine games on his resume by the time the 2021 season begins.
Obviously, however, Rudolph would rather play than not this fall. He had a good start against the Cleveland Browns at the end of the regular season last year (22 to 38, 315 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). And he will want to fatten up his playing tape for possible bidders in the free agency, as a way to make people forget about the problems he saw as a starter for the first time in 2019.
“I think Mason wants to prove who he is,” acknowledged Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert on February 17. “I know he would like to play more … I know Mason wants to go out and prove he can play at this level. “
From all I have heard, Rudolph really enjoyed having a defender coach last year. And he seems to have some adherence to Matt Canada’s ideas, which would be an advantage now that Canada has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
This is not to say that Rudolph would stay in Pittsburgh as a reservation for a signatory to a free agent in 2022 or a first choice quarterback. Nor am I suggesting that Rudolph would blindly sign an extension before this year, before anything the depth chart might look like in Pittsburgh for ’22. This is just to suggest that there is reason to expect some growth in Rudolph’s game, should the opportunity arise in 21.
The biggest discussion, however, is not so much about Rudolph’s view of what is happening with the Steelers. It’s more about how the Steelers see it.
“The game he started (against Cleveland) was probably the best game he has ever played for us. Cleveland was desperate to win, ”said Colbert. “Hopefully, we will see Mason take a few more steps in whatever role he has or in any playing time he has, whether in pre-season or regular season. But it was encouraging to see him at that Cleveland game. “
Encouraging enough to give you the keys to the offense and let you take Roethlisberger’s place this year? Encouraging enough to put your chips in the middle of the table and bet on your projections for Rudolph when they recruited you in the third round of 2018 on a supposed first round note?
No. Or else they wouldn’t be going through the “capology” of quantum physics to make Roethlisberger’s contract work. And if Roethlisberger returns, how (unless injured) will Rudolph show his products to the rest of the National Football League?
Whether waiting behind the scenes during the Roethlisberger plight, reacting to the Myles Garrett fiasco or enduring the ups and downs of 2019, Rudolph never tried to overshadow the noise.
But if Roethlisberger gets hurt or stays on the bench in 2021, Rudolph’s performance on the pitch needs to speak as loudly as possible. Because it may be your only chance to be really heard.
Tim Benz is an editor on the Tribune-Review team. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets can be posted again. All emails are subject to publication, unless otherwise specified.
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Sports | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz