Tony Romo on Steelers QB Mason Rudolph's development: 'He is for real'

Mason Rudolph might not have been able to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a win over the Buffalo Bills, but he made a fan in Tony Romo.

The former Oklahoma State Cowboys star has received opportunities at extended playing time in the past, but this time he took the bull by the horns and didn’t let go. He forced the Steelers to keep him in the starting lineup, and led the team to an unlikely playoff berth.

At the onset of Monday’s clash between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, Romo recognizes that, and even compared Rudolph’s career trajectory to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

"To me, he has developed. It's an archetype like Geno Smith in Seattle. He is for real, Jim…" – Tony Romo on Steelers QB Mason Rudolph 🏈🎙️🔥 pic.twitter.com/wtC8EqDlNa

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2024

“I’m really impressed with the archetype of his career,” Romo said during Monday’s broadcast. “You know, you expect him to be a career backup, and he hadn’t been very successful, and you put him in and they’re riding the hot hand right now. To me, he has developed an archetype like Geno Smith in Seattle. He is for real Jim [Nantz].

“He’s led the NFL the last three weeks in multiple categories, and this will be the biggest test of his career today.”

Alas, Rudolph wasn’t perfect against Buffalo, and he would’ve had to been for the Steelers to win, as Pittsburgh faced an immense uphill battle against the Bills.

The former Oklahoma State star passed for 229 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against Buffalo. Not bad numbers, but not enough to capture a win and move on to an AFC North clash with the Baltimore Ravens.

At the least, Rudolph has given the Steelers something to ponder for 2024. Will they stick with the quarterback who ran their offense best this past season, or will they pivot back to Kenny Pickett? Of course, there’s always the option of bringing in some new blood, as some have linked Russell Wilson to the team.

Regardless, Rudolph deserves credit for taking a team everyone thought was dead in the water to the playoffs, even if he had a little bit of help from some other teams losing. He still was able to bring the Steelers to a 10-7 record, but it would’ve been a Herculean effort to defeat the Bills.

Now, Buffalo will host the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend, while the Steelers are watching from home, out of the cold.

Time will tell what the Steelers decide to do at quarterback, but Mason Rudolph can hold his head up high after a great end to the season for Pittsburgh.