Steelers Daily News & Links: Mason Rudolph Welcomes QB Competition; Cleveland Mayor Slams Browns
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🏈 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph welcomes competition for the starting QB position.
“Competition is so normal. I’m so used to it now. Every team’s adding quarterbacks every year, it’s just normal mode of operation,” Rudolph said on the Kaboly + Mack podcast. “I learned a long time ago, you know, who it is, and then financial compensation, will really tell you what’s gonna go down as far as the depth chart.”
Rudolph said he’ll continue to work regardless of the outcome at QB.
“All I can really do, as cliche and annoying as it sounds, is just keep having a great spring and enjoying working with the receivers, learning the offense, making the most of every rep I can get,” Rudolph said. “That’s what I did in 2023; that’s what I’ve done my whole career, and you get opportunities, and you’ve just got to be ready to capitalize when they come. If that means starting or backing up, I can do that whole song and dance, and I’m confident that I can play well, win games, when my number’s called. So I’m gonna keep taking it day by day and we’ll see what happens.”
🏈 The mayor of Cleveland tells the FOX 8 I-Team that keeping the Cleveland Browns on the lakefront is not the city’s top priority.
“There are more important priorities than the Cleveland Browns,” Mayor Justin Bibb told the I-Team during an interview Tuesday. He cited plans for a makeover of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and other downtown development.
The Browns have proposed building an enclosed stadium in Brook Park. Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam has told the I-Team it would be one of the largest projects ever built in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine also said it would be good to have a domed stadium in Ohio.
“But, it’s important that the city of Cleveland is not left empty-handed,” Bibb said. “That we don’t have an abandoned stadium downtown.”
🏈 Ian O’Connor, who wrote Aaron Rodgers’ autobiography, predicts that the four-time league MVP will be in a Steelers uniform by June 10.
“I do think there will be a happy ending, at least for him, and we will find out for the Steelers and their fan base. If I had $100 to put down, my feeling is he will be in uniform June 10th for the start of the mandatory minicamp,” O’Connor said on 93.7 The Fan.
🏈 Ten teams voted to keep the tush push in the game — Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers voted in favor of banning the tush push, but team president Art Rooney II is not too concerned about it.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the world that it’s not banned. I was for [the ban], but even if we passed the ban, we’re still going to have quarterback sneaks in the game. I think more was made out of it than it was. Really, it wasn’t as big a deal as we made out of it,” Rooney said, via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.
🏈 Colts owner Jim Irsay, who had led the team since 1997, died Wednesday. He was 65.
“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,” Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said in a statement released by the team. “Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement.
“We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay’s passing today. Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community,” Goodell said. “He led with integrity, passion and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy. … On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.”
🏈 The Steelers organization also released a statement on the passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay.
🏈 Former NFL offensive lineman ans current analyst Ross Tucker thinks the the gap between Mason Rudolph and Aaron Rodgers as the Steelers’ starting quarterback isn’t really that significant.
🏈 Steelers’ fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer has a deep love for the game of football.
“My relationship with the game, honestly I love it,” Sawyer told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “I just love football. Ever since I was a little kid, my dad will tell you the only thing I wanted to do was play football. I used to beg him to let me play when I was too young to sign up for the Pickerington Youth League in Ohio. Finally, he signed me up and ever since then, I have loved the game of football.
“I can’t even put in the words what it’s been able to do for my life. I love the game. I always want to be around football. A lot of guys use football to help their lifestyle. I just love the game. I love to play, and I love to compete.”
🏈 Steel City Star shared a NFL Films highlight reel of Jack Lambert, which was narrated by the legendary John Facenda.
STEELERS NOW CONTENT FROM MAY 21
🏈 George Pickens Takes Parting Shot at Steelers: ‘Super Refreshing with a Different Culture’
🏈 Roethlisberger: Critical Mistake Could Sink Steelers in Ireland
🏈 Steelers Sign Athletic Former Texans Offensive Lineman
🏈 Is Aaron Rodgers Key to Steelers Avoiding Losing Season?
🏈 Steelers Will Avoid HBO’s Hard Knocks in 2025
🏈 Packers HC Matt LaFleur Predicts Aaron Rodgers’ Football Future
🏈 PFF Considers DK Metcalf a ‘Tier 4 Wide Receiver’
🏈 Ben Roethlisberger Predicts Steelers Record With, Without Aaron Rodgers
🏈 George Pickens ‘Hasn’t Stopped Smiling’ Since He Got to Dallas
🏈 Cam Heyward Reflects on Steelers Last International Game: ‘Everybody Was Falling Asleep’
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