The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) named QB Mason Rudolph their starter as soon as once more after his spectacular 290-yard and two-touchdown efficiency in Week 16. Now with slightly further confidence, it appears he took a slight shot at his former teammate, Ben Roethlisberger.
“Regardless of who’s been taking part in, there’s been nice communication. Everybody is really making an attempt to make the opposite individual higher,” Rudolph told reporters. “There’s been different instances when it has been not as cohesive as a bunch and folks aren’t as forthcoming with ‘Hey, how will we assist?'”
Rudolph appears to be speaking about Roethlisberger, who clearly wasn’t blissful after Pittsburgh chosen him within the third spherical of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“I used to be stunned they took a quarterback as a result of I assumed perhaps within the third spherical you may get some actually good gamers that may assist this group win now,” Roethlisberger said following the draft. “In the event that they really feel like he may help our group, so be it however I used to be slightly stunned.”
Rudolph and Roethlisberger went onto share a locker room for 4 years (2018-21) earlier than Large Ben hung up his cleats following the 2021 season.
It was Roethlisberger’s group up till he retired, however Rudolph did play in 10 video games (beginning eight) for the Steelers in 2019 after Roethlisberger underwent season-ending elbow surgical procedure. The Oklahoma State product threw for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on his technique to a 5-3 file.
Since then, many in Pittsburgh believed he would not quantity to something greater than only a backup. However even when their historical past is slightly rocky, Roethlisberger praised Rudolph’s newest efficiency and believes he is earned one other alternative to begin.
“I assumed that he did an amazing job of spreading the ball round, I assumed he made good choices,” Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. “Even when he threw it away it was good.”
Solely Rudolph is aware of if he was speaking about Roethlisberger, however one factor is for positive: He can proceed writing off his doubters with one other robust displaying towards the Seahawks (8-7) on Sunday.
