The summer air was electric at St. Vincent College as Steelers fans gathered once again for their beloved training camp rituals. Just hours after watching Aaron Rodgers command the huddle under the Friday night lights, the scene changed dramatically Saturday morning. With fans expecting a glimpse of the future Hall of Famer leading the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, they were instead met with the sight of Rodgers in street clothes. It was a veteran rest day; standard procedure for a 40-year-old quarterback following a padded session, but it sent waves through a fanbase still adjusting to his presence in black and gold. So, who answered HC Mike Tomlin‘s call? Mason Rudolph.
Rodgers, who took full part in Friday night’s heavily attended padded practice, was given a breather on Saturday morning. In front of 13,000+ fans, under the Friday Night lights, Rodgers and the offense had their best day yet, connecting with DK Metcalf on a touchdown during a ‘seven shots’ drill and executing long completions in team periods. Observers highlighted Rodgers as sharper than in prior days, with improved consistency and reads. Steelers Update wrote on X, “#Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers is in street clothes with practice about 10 minutes away. Likely getting a vet day after a padded Friday Night Lights practice.”
Insider Brian Batko broke the news that longtime Steeler Mason Rudolph is taking the reins. The sudden shift to Rudolph sparked a ripple effect through training camp, especially as the offense’s early-camp struggles continue to draw concern. Batko wrote, “Steelers 7 shooting with Mason Rudolph in for Aaron Rodgers (rest) as QB for the first-team offense.” He further detailed Rudolph’s performance as the QB threw a pass to wide receiver Scotty Miller, but it wasn’t caught. Tight end Darnell Washington caught a touchdown pass from him, likely a strong red-zone play where he used his size and reach to make the grab. And Rudolph threw a different pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth, but it was broken up, meaning safety Chuck Clark and linebacker Cole Holcomb teamed up to prevent the catch.
Rudolph, being the one to step in for Rodgers, signals that he’s likely ahead of Will Howard on the depth chart right now. But that doesn’t mean it’s locked in for the season, just that it’s a strong indicator. Overall, he wasn’t lighting up the field, but he also didn’t make any major errors. In camp terms, that’s solid, especially when working with starters and under fan scrutiny.
Steelers 7 shooting with Mason Rudolph in for Aaron Rodgers (rest) as QB for the first-team offense
• incomplete to Scotty Miller
• TD snagged by big Darnell Washington
• incomplete for Pat Freiermuth, broken up by Chuck Clark and Cole Holcomb
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) August 2, 2025
Mason Rudolph has completed 20 of 33 passes (60.6%) for 193 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt and 9.7 yards per completion during team 11‑on‑11 drills in the first four practices of camp. Those sessions also show Rudolph logging 41 reps, behind only Aaron Rodgers’ 56, while exceeding rookie Will Howard’s total of 28. Rudolph has been the most aggressive deep passer so far and has earned significant work with both second- and first-team units, especially during Rodgers’ scheduled rest periods.
But while Rudolph’s surprise run with the first-team offense turned heads, it also highlighted deeper concerns brewing beneath the surface. Concerns that Mike Tomlin has now directly addressed.
Mike Tomlin comes clean on the Pittsburgh Steelers QB crisis.
Speaking to reporters at camp, Tomlin downplayed the offense’s slow start and emphasized patience. He offered a broader perspective on what the Steelers are working through this preseason, and as murmurs grew around the team’s uneven offensive tempo early in camp, Tomlin stood firm in his trademark calm. He revealed that their offense is behind, and while it is a work in progress, the defense is rather ready for battle. The Steelers HC’s honest observation about the defense evolving faster than the offense is backed up by practice results. The Steelers’ defensive playmakers, including Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill, and Patrick Queen, have consistently disrupted early offensive reps, grabbing attention in day-to-day drills.
On August 1, Tomlin was blunt about the testing’s early returns. He said, “I just think it’s usual for this time of year. Defenses usually develop a little faster than offenses. The get-to-know-you, the cohesion that’s required to be good, it’s just a component of it. No alarm bells there.” Even the tight-end Pat Freiermuth is well aware that the offense needs to pick up the pace, “We wish it ended differently, but we’re working toward the end goal of Week 1 and being able to execute. There’s gonna be some ups and downs. We’ll get it corrected. We’ve always been good in two-minute [situations].”
In the end, Mike Tomlin’s firm and composed stance reiterates that Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation is more about long-term development than daily fluctuations. Tomlin’s emphasis on cohesion, patience, and trust in the process underlines that the Steelers are not hitting the panic button on a slow-starting offense. With Rodgers adjusting to a new system and younger QBs like Rudolph and Howard getting valuable reps, the Steelers are using camp as a crucible, not a scoreboard. The quarterback picture remains fluid, but it’s being managed with clarity, structure, and deliberate intention from the top.
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