Steelers GM Omar Khan says team has been in contact with Mason Rudolph

It’s clear that the Pittsburgh Steelers need an upgrade at the quarterback position, but that doesn’t mean they are opposed to bringing back a familiar face. Yes, Kenny Pickett will return as currently the only signal-caller under contract, but Steelers general manager Omar Khan made it clear Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that the organization has interest in retaining Mason Rudolph in free agency.

“We have been in communication with his representative, and he knows we want him back,” Khan said, via the team’s website. “It’s just the process, and I understand it, but we you know, we’d like to have him back, and they indicated a desire to see what’s out there beyond. I think every player kind of owes it to himself. At the end of the day, it’s a few weeks until the start of the league year. But I know we’d like to have him back, and I believe he wants to come back and compete. He likes it here, and we’ve had a good experience with Mason.”

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean the Steelers won’t bring in someone from the outside, as Pittsburgh has routinely carried three quarterbacks on the roster. Rudolph has been with the Steelers since 2019, making him an experienced option who is familiar with the team already.

Steelers linked with several QBs, including Mason Rudolph

Following an ankle injury to Pickett and the benching of Mitch Trubisky, Rudolph came off the bench and led the Steelers to three consecutive wins to finish the 2023 regular season. He threw for 719 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions on 74.3% passing. In the 31-17 AFC Wild Card Round defeat to the Buffalo Bills, he completed 22-of-39 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Pittsburgh remains linked with several quarterbacks this offseason, most notably Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos. The Steelers also own the No. 20 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Khan made it clear he’s “looking at everything.”

“We’re looking at everything,” Khan said. “I have an obligation to this organization, to the players, to the front office, to every member of the Steeler nation, to look at every option and every way of trying to improve this team and we’re going to do so.”