After years of waiting in the wings, Mason Rudolph is finally getting the chance to prove himself as the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense. The backup quarterback, often overlooked and undervalued, is now stepping into the spotlight — and he’s determined to make the most of the opportunity.
“It’s been a journey, and I’m grateful for every step,” Rudolph shared in a recent interview. “I’ve learned a lot from watching and waiting, but now it’s time to step up. I know what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to take this opportunity and make the most of it.”
For Rudolph, this moment has been a long time coming. After being drafted by the Steelers in 2018, the 27-year-old quarterback has spent the majority of his career as a backup, patiently waiting for his chance to take the reins. Now, with the injury to starter Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph’s time has finally arrived. And while stepping into a starting role midseason is no easy task, Rudolph is more than ready for the challenge.
“I’ve been in this league long enough to know what it takes to win,” he continued. “I’ve had the chance to learn from some of the best — from Ben [Roethlisberger] to the coaches. I’ve been in those high-pressure situations, and I know what I need to do. Now it’s my turn.”
Rudolph’s confidence is a product of years of preparation. Though he’s often been called on in relief, he’s never truly been able to showcase his full potential as a starting quarterback. Now that he has the opportunity, he’s focused on leading the team and proving his worth to both the coaches and the fans.
“Being a backup quarterback can be a grind, but I’ve always stayed ready,” Rudolph explained. “Now I’m here, and I’m not taking it for granted. I’m going to give this team everything I have. The work starts now.”
In his brief appearances this season, Rudolph has shown flashes of his potential, completing key passes and making smart decisions. But now, he’ll have to prove he can maintain consistency over a full game. The Steelers’ offense has been shaky at times this year, and Rudolph’s ability to steady the ship will be critical as they push for a playoff spot.
With the support of his teammates and the guidance of head coach Mike Tomlin, Rudolph is prepared to step into the role of starting quarterback. His time has come, and he’s not backing down.
“I know what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to show everyone,” Rudolph said confidently. “This team deserves a quarterback who can lead them to victory, and I’m going to give them exactly that.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ fate may now rest in Mason Rudolph’s hands, but with his mindset and determination, he’s ready to seize the moment and prove he’s the man for the job.
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Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns fans boomed with approval as quarterback Shedeur Sanders entered an NFL game for the first time in the second half of the team’s Week 11 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, but the rookie didn’t give them much to cheer about after that.
Sanders finished the day 4-of-16 passing for 47 yards and an interception. He also rushed for 16 yards, took two sacks and fumbled once, though Cleveland recovered. Reporters asked Sanders during the postgame about his performance and the fan’s reaction to both him finally getting in a game and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel leaving due to a mandatory entrance into the league’s concussion protocol.
“When Dillon out there playing and all that, I appreciate the fans, I appreciate everybody. But I’m a good person overall, so I don’t really like him not feeling comfortable, confident when he get out there. So it puts everything in a tough spot, and it’s not helping the team,” Sanders said of fans’ previous booing of Gabriel during his struggles.
“So, that could be taken as, ‘OK, I’m being a distraction,’ even though I ain’t doing that, even though I’m not doing nothing,” Sanders continued. “But I’m thankful for the supporters, thankful for the fans, thankful for everybody out there that believes. And yeah, when I got out there, I definitely felt them, and I’m truly thankful for it. … Thankful seeing all them 12 jerseys out there, and it was a great feeling for that. But the feeling of losing, that ain’t nothing we going to get comfortable with on my watch, for sure.”
GettyQuarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
Gabriel remains in concussion protocol and while it’s possible doctors could clear him ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders next weekend, it is likely that Sanders will get the first start of his career in the desert.
The Browns must practice this week as though Sanders is going to be the starter, as Gabriel’s status is uncertain. Because of that, the coaching staff is likely to tailor the game plan to Sanders’ strengths and finally afford him the first-team practice reps he’s been lacking since joining the franchise in the fifth round of April’s draft.
“Sanders is expected to start Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders in Las Vegas, and fourth-year pro Bailey Zappe will be the backup,” Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Monday. “Sanders, who had his house broken into during Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Ravens, will be the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, barring some unexpected occurrence.”
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
However, head coach Kevin Stefanski was clear that Gabriel will get his starting job back from Sanders once he returns healthy.
The only way Sanders can avoid that fate is to play exceedingly well against the Raiders, who will be coming off a short week following their “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Dallas Cowboys and who went into the Dallas matchup with a 2-7 record.
Cleveland, now 2-8, was likely to insert Sanders into the starting lineup at some point late in the season to assess his abilities and the QB room as a whole before a 2026 draft, in which the team has two first-round picks. It is unclear if one and a half games will be enough information for the Browns where Sanders is concerned, should Gabriel return healthy following this weekend.
Suffice it to say, Cleveland’s upcoming game in Las Vegas is the most important of Sanders’ football career.