The quarterback dilemma for the Minnesota Vikings is uncertain at the moment, with Kirk Cousins becoming a free agent, leaving his future with the team uncertain. If the Vikings opt to part ways with Cousins, or even if they retain him and seek a more reliable backup, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder suggests that the team might consider pursuing Mason Rudolph, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback, in free agency for either of these situations.
Late in the season, Mason Rudolph took over as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, replacing Kenny Pickett, who suffered an ankle injury. Even after Pickett’s recovery, Rudolph retained the starting position, earning praise from head coach Mike Tomlin and the team’s staff.
In the current season, the 28-year-old quarterback appeared in four games, making three starts, and showcased his skills by throwing for 719 yards and three touchdowns. Rudolph completed an impressive 74.3 percent of his passes, achieving a passer rating of 118. Notably, he led the Steelers to victory in all three of his starts, securing a playoff berth.
Rudolph, a product of Oklahoma State in college football, was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In 2019, he made eight starts in place of the injured Ben Roethlisberger, participating in a total of 10 games that season. During that period, he accumulated 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, with a completion rate of 62.2 percent and a passer rating of 82.
Between 2020 and 2022, Rudolph had only two starts before stepping into a starting role this season. His impressive performance is likely to attract significant attention in the upcoming free-agent market, and the Minnesota Vikings might be interested in pursuing him, given their uncertain quarterback situation.