It’s fitting that Mason Rudolph will be the Steelers’ first starting quarterback for a playoff game since Ben Roethlisberger made his last playoff start in January 2022. Rudolph, who was drafted in 2018 with the idea that he would be a day the successor to Big Ben, will make his first start in the playoffs Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills.
Mike Tomlin said the Steelers will continue to hold their hand on Rudolph, who helped the Steelers win three straight games to close the regular season. Rudolph will be replaced by regular starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Rudolph has been exceptional this season. He’s completed 74.3 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and no picks since replacing fellow forward Mitch Trubisky in the starting lineup. Rudolph was 18 of 20, including the game-winning 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in last Sunday’s 17-10 win over the Ravens.
Rudolph, 28, signed a one-year contract with Pittsburgh in May after spending two months on the open market. He began the year as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
“I don’t take it for granted.” Rudolph told CBS Sports during training camp. “I don’t think I ever did. But you go through free agency, and to be able to be a part of this franchise, you really enjoy every moment. The camaraderie with the guys, the informal time in the locker room. It doesn’t Priceless. I really like it.”
Tomlin said the Steelers will lean on their strengths Sunday in Buffalo. That surely includes leaning on a running game that has generated 357 yards over the last two games. In many ways, the Steelers offense is currently operating the way Rudolph envisioned it during training camp.
“I think you kind of saw us start to run the ball a lot better last year,” Rudolph said at that time. “That’s a point to emphasize, for sure. We know we have the athletes on the outside to throw the ball and make those spectacular plays. The coaches have emphasized about yards after the catch. We have a lot of goals for ourselves, but we’re excited.”
