Ike Taylor: Mason Rudolph's End Of Season Performance Signals Possible Move
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter this off-season with many questions about their quarterback position. It's not a position where you want to have question marks, but that will be the case for the Steelers.
Who will be their starting quarterback in 2024? That question is too early to answer, but Bleav in Steelers host and former player Ike Taylor believes it won't be Mason Rudolph. In the latest episode, Taylor said Rudolph played well enough down the stretch to possibly earn himself some money and find a new team this off-season.
"He [Mason Rudolph] put himself in position to make money. He put some hot tape out there, we'll see what OC Arthur Smith wants to do. Kenny is in a good position right now because nobody else on the roster other than him officially. When it comes down to that quarterback position, Mason had made himself some money on the way he played."
per Ike Taylor via Bleav in Steelers
The backup quarterback position was utilized more than ever in 2023. Injuries could happen at any moment, and Rudolph could fill the void on any team that covets him.
The Steelers are in the bottom half of salary cap space, so Rudolph may not be the Steelers' top priority. Rudolph's time in black and yellow may have ended, but as Taylor said, he will have options this off-season.
The Steelers could target someone like Ryan Tannehill, who is very familiar with Arthur Smith. Smith was the offensive coordinator with Tannehill during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Tannehill may not be a viable starter, but he would be one of the better backups in the league. Should Pickett get hurt or not live up to expectations, the Steelers could pivot to Tannehill.
