It wasn’t all the time straightforward, however ultimately, Mason Rudolph left the Steelers and Pittsburgh on good phrases.
The veteran quarterback, who just lately signed a one-year take care of the Tennessee Titans, shared his appreciation for his expertise with the Steelers in a pseudo goodbye publish on Instagram.
“For the previous six years, it has been a privilege to be a part of the Pittsburgh neighborhood and symbolize the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Rudolph wrote. “To my teammates, coaches, employees, Artwork Rooney, the Rooney household, Thomas Tull, Larry Paul, and the remainder of the Steelers group: Thanks for altering my life perpetually six years in the past once you gave me the chance to put on the Black & Gold.
“To the followers—your love and fervour for the crew is what makes it so particular to play right here. I’ll always remember taking part in in entrance of Yinz one closing time this previous December. All of the Greatest.”
Rudolph’s time in Pittsburgh was actually a curler coaster. He wasn’t warmly embraced by Ben Roethlisberger after being drafted by the Steelers within the third spherical again in 2018. He was hurried into motion when Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending damage two weeks into the 2019 season.
Rudolph performed effectively, however he was by no means the identical that season after struggling a nasty concussion in a loss to the Ravens. Nonetheless, Rudolph went 5-3 as a starter that season whereas serving to the Steelers get to inside a recreation of the playoffs.
For the subsequent three seasons, Rudolph barely noticed any taking part in time. He made two begins from 2020-22, with the Steelers going 0-1-1 in these video games. The tie — which got here in opposition to the beforehand winless Lions in 2021 — appeared to help Rudolph’s critics who did not assume he was able to creating right into a beginning NFL quarterback.
Rudolph needed to wait, however he lastly obtained retribution this previous season, when he received every of his three regular-season begins whereas main the Steelers to a playoff berth. He then turned the primary Steelers quarterback not named Roethlisberger to begin in a playoff recreation since 2002.
It was presently when Steelers followers appeared to alter their opinions towards Rudolph. Boos have been changed by cheers. In truth, Steelers followers chanted Rudolph’s identify a number of occasions throughout Pittsburgh’s Dec. 23 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, a win that noticed Rudolph throw for 290 yards and two touchdowns in what was maybe his finest NFL recreation thus far.
That finally proved to be Rudolph’s closing dwelling recreation in Pittsburgh, as he signed with the Titans in free company after the Steelers determine to revamp their quarterback room with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Whereas he didn’t turn into Roethlisberger’s successor, Rudolph nonetheless gained one thing priceless throughout his time in Pittsburgh: respect and appreciation from the town and fan base.