Mason Rudolph Will Outshine Russell Wilson

Mason Rudolph is poised to prove he’s the better quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, outpacing the departed Russell Wilson as the team’s signal-caller for the 2025 season. With Wilson now a New York Giant after signing a one-year deal, Rudolph, re-signed by Pittsburgh to a two-year, $8 million contract, stands ready to seize the QB1 mantle and lead the Steelers beyond the veteran’s 2024 mark, analysts and fans alike predict.

Rudolph, 29, showcased his potential in 2023, starting the final three games with a 3-0 record, throwing for 719 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions—a stark contrast to Wilson’s 6-4 stint in 2024 (2,569 yards, 15 TDs, 5 INTs). “Mason’s got the arm and the poise,” said Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. “He knows this system better than Russ ever did.” Rudolph’s 8-4-1 career record as a starter, all with Pittsburgh, bolsters the case that he’s the future over Wilson’s one-year rental.

Fan sentiment on X echoes the optimism: “Rudolph’s our guy—Russ was just a stopgap” (@SteelCityFan). Another wrote, “Mason’s cheaper and hungrier—Wilson’s past his prime” (@BurghFaithful). At $4 million annually, Rudolph’s deal is a steal compared to Wilson’s reported $15 million price tag with the Giants, leaving Pittsburgh $6 million in cap space to bolster their roster after adding J.K. Dobbins and James Bradberry.

Wilson’s Giants move ends a brief Steelers tenure marked by flashes of brilliance but no playoff win. Now, Rudolph—backed by George Pickens and D.K. Metcalf—aims to rewrite the narrative, proving youth and familiarity can trump veteran pedigree in 2025.