How Steelers QB Reacted To ‘Constant Noise’ Of Aaron Rodgers Saga

There’s been so much chatter about Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers that it’s easy to forget that he’s not actually on the team yet.

Mason Rudolph was indeed the top quarterback on Pittsburgh’s roster when the Steelers opened up organized team activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Not many believe Rudolph will be in that same position in a matter of weeks when Rodgers possibly comes aboard. But Rudolph is blocking out the massive distraction that Rodgers has caused by dragging out his free-agent decision.

“That’s nothing new to me,” Rudolph told reporters Tuesday, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “There’s been constant noise — that is the nature of the NFL, so I have been used to that for a long time now. I do nothing but be the best I can be and help our team get better this spring.”

Unlike Rodgers, Rudolph jumped at the chance to join the Steelers and signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with his former team just days into free agency. Rudolph spent four seasons with the Steelers after they drafted him in the third round in 2018. The 29-year-old signal-caller spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he went 1-4 in five starts while completing 64% of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.

But Rudolph sure is glad he got the opportunity to come back to Pittsburgh.

“It’s great,” Rudolph said. “I’ve been a part (of teams) where you jump on the moving train late in the spring, and then (others where) you’re here from the jump. So I’ve learned to adapt to both, but it’s obviously good to be wanted.”