Eisen: In 2024, Steelers supporters shouldn’t anticipate a mystery quarterback option

Eisen: In 2024, Steelers supporters shouldn’t anticipate a mystery quarterback option

Kenny Pickett is the only quarterback on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster at the moment. That will not remain the same. Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Kirk Cousins are all reportedly targets for Pittsburgh. When Omar Khan declined to discuss ongoing discussions during his news appearance on Thursday at the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, he did nothing to refute that idea.

Khan did disclose that the Steelers intend to return to Pittsburgh in 2024 with Mason Rudolph. The general manager of Pittsburgh recommended that the team should try to work out a new contract with Rudolph before to the start of the upcoming league season.

The Rich Eisen Show was present at the NFL Combine on Friday. With his unwavering support of Mike Tomlin during the 2023 season and his scathing remarks about fans being, to put it politely, ignorant of his friend’s future, the show’s namesake has infuriated Steeler Nation. Rich Eisen surmised that Rudolph would be the only free agent the Steelers pursued to bolster their quarterback position.

Shortly after the season concluded, Peter King, who recently retired, told Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk Live that the Steelers “would be crazy” to enter 2024 with Pickett and Rudolph as their top choices. Eisen is presenting the facts and doing his best Joe Friday impression, even though he may not agree with the Steelers’ agenda.

Rudolph might feel pressure from the Steelers and Khan to sign before he has a chance to look into the free agent market. Before the league season begins, players and agents are meant to be subject to restrictions by tampering laws; however, the NFL only imposes this rule on a selective basis. In actuality, it might not be that hidden if other teams are interested. Additionally, it might make the organization’s efforts to keep Rudolph on staff more difficult.

At this stage of his career, the six-year veteran quarterback might not be the Steelers’ first priority. Though a number of circumstances would work against Rudolph, Pittsburgh would likely present him with the best chance to start as a quarterback. Arthur Smith, who was hired by the Steelers to be their new offensive coordinator, will be working with a new offense that may not be the best fit for his skill set.

Rudolph’s relationship with Tomlin is likewise complex. In 2019, when Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow, he was forced into a starting position in his second season. Rudolph was involved in the most disgusting on-field altercation in recent memory with Myles Garrett, and he also suffered a terrible injury himself against the Baltimore Ravens. Rudolph lost his job to Devlin “Duck” Hodges as a result of his performance. Later in the season, when Tomlin decided to give him another chance, Rudolph was injured again.

It is difficult to imagine that Rudolph would have gone back to Pittsburgh in 2023 if there had been any interest in him during his free agency. He made the decision to play one more season as an NFL quarterback rather than sell insurance and take a pay cut. It gave him the opportunity to play the finest football of his career and possibly pave the way for an NFL second act. By quarterback standards, Rudolph is still young, and he might use his excellent 2023 season to earn several more seasons as a top-tier backup quarterback.