Steelers analysts get into war of words over Mason Rudolph

Crowley made a fair point that retaining Rudolph, as opposed to the recently acquired Kyle Allen as Pittsburgh's potential third-string quarterback, was the key factor in determining the success of the 2024 roster. Kaboly tried to save face by replying to Crowley's post. 

Those who advocate for Rudolph, like Kaboly, fail to understand a basic fact. Right or wrong, the Steelers and Tomlin did not want to be in the Rudolph business. Pittsburgh turned to him out of desperation after burying him on the depth chart in 2022 and signing him to a minimum contract to be the emergency option in 2023. When he got his chance, he performed admirably and earned north of a 350% raise in free agency. He also opened Tomlin's eyes to Pickett's limitations in the process. 

That should be seen as a win for both sides, but it isn't. Crowley was incredulous that the veteran Steelers beat writer and frequent guest on "The Pat McAfee Show" looked past the top two spots on the depth chart and was basing his analysis on the quarterback room's overall strength. "The Fan Morning Show" host could not understand why Kaboly would not concede the point and doubled down. 

Kaboly is taking his lumps on X for what amounts to a hot take in support of Rudolph. Objectively, Wilson, even at 35, is better than Pickett was in 2023. It could be argued that Fields was better than Pickett. But if you limit it to Fields versus Trubisky, he wins the battle of former Bears quarterbacks by a wide margin. 

Steelers' new third-string quarterback Kyle Allen compares favorably to Mason Rudolph

The gap is so substantial at the top of the depth chart that Rudolph would have to outpace Allen by an extensive margin to balance the scales in Kaboly's favor. He doesn't. Allen has started 19 games in the NFL, thrown 26 touchdowns and passed for over 4,700 yards. Rudolph has started 13 games during his career and has thrown 19 touchdown passes for just over 3,000 yards. 

It is conceivable that he would pass Allen's numbers in six more starts, but it would not be a substantial difference. Rudolph delivered a lasting positive memory for the Steelers with a three-game winning streak that resurrected the 2023 season and got them back to the playoffs. 

Kaboly and the legions of Rudolph fans should be happy he is getting a chance to earn a more significant role in Tennessee. It was never going to happen in Pittsburgh.