HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -- When it comes to me interviewing my former teammates with the Steelers, I take it seriously.
I'll somewhat think about it all day, like a game: What’s my approach? How do I execute it? How can I not waste their time while also showing a side that no one's seen ... while also protecting them?
I know what you’re thinking: They don’t need protection. And you’re right. But for guys who live their lives in the public space, you have to have some things for private places only. And when that protection, that trust is there, they'll relax and become the guys I've seen in the locker room and throughout the building on the South Side.
So, I hope you’re appreciative of the hour I spent here with Mason Rudolph yesterday as part of the daily live video Dejan Kovacevic and I do every weekday. It was his first interview since the season ended. I know I was appreciative. It was a blast.
If you’ve seen some of my interviews with my friends, you'll see that we all have fun. It’s usually a lot of laughs, though with some serious moments and some informative life or football stuff. Which should tell you, hey, the football helmet that we wear hides a lot!
I'll get responses from these interviews saying, “I never knew this guy was this funny” or “He’s so smart, I had no idea.” That’s my goal, to unlock guys like Mason, Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva or even Kevin Colbert so you all can see them as I see them. A bunch of dudes who enjoy life, love football and love each other. DK likes to credit me for that, but that’s what you get when you build relationships and actually get to know people for who they are.
I hope you enjoyed Mason’s conversation with me and seeing him joke around, speak on some hardships and just be him.
Highlights:
• How was it stepping into the starting role in 2019 when Ben Roethlisberger tore his UCL?
MR: “I mean, I think you’re lying if you say the first couple starts you’re not a bit nervous. I was nervous this past year. If you’re not nervous, you’re either lying or you don’t have a pulse and it’s probably time to retire. Absolutely, I was, I think, nervous and excited all at the same time. I think it was the Seattle game when I got thrust in there and we really had a chance to win, put ourselves in position ... I think, absolutely, when you go in with a group that’s protecting a Hall of Fame quarterback and so many veterans – I mean, I think you were in Year 8 or 9 and Maurkice Pouncey was in 9, and we had Al Villaneuva and Dave DeCastro ... just a lot of experience. There was a sense of, yeah, I want to do my best and lead you guys so we can do the celebration and smash our facemasks into one another and hug and all those kinds of things.”
• Did 2019 groom you for the 2023 finish?
MR: “I think the answer’s yes. I think there’s not that many quarterbacks who, No. 1, get to learn and watch a Hall of Famer work at their same position. I think when I came into the league and the team I just figured, oh, this is what our line’s going to be like. Constantly competitive, argumentative, the ‘breakfast club,’ the political controversy arguments and one side – Maurkice versus Al versus Dave versus you. It was just a great example of a true pro’s pro position group was, to me, I think, and for a lot of the younger players. It was invaluable. You kind of had to earn that. It was fun playing with you, and I've got those memories, the ups and downs, so I would say yes.”
• On what changed with him from then to now:
MR: "Experience. That’s the best teacher, even when you’re not playing, I think you can either go on autopilot mode -- I played one game in 2020, I had one start in 2021, nothing in 2022, nothing in 2023 until Week 18, nada -- and you can go crazy ... or you can really lock in and immerse yourself and try to be a voice on the sidelines. I think seeing it from the sidelines the last couple years, whether it was Matt Canada or Mike Sullivan knowing his quarterbacks, I think I had a feel for what Kenny Pickett liked, for what Mitch Trubisky may have liked the last couple years in certain scenarios and certain downs, distances, third downs and fringe, and I tried to make suggestions to the playcaller because I think they had a great feel for it. They both did. But when you’re in the room with the guy and you know what it’s like to run those plays, there’s plays that they prefer and sometimes ... I’ve been in that position when you don’t want to speak up and say ‘No, I don’t like that play call,’ and maybe there’s another concept you love. Looking it as a coach helped me grow and be mature from a football IQ standpoint.”
• How did it feel to be back out there?
MR: “I think I felt free. I felt a sense of complete freedom and nothing to lose because I really didn’t have anything to lose. I thought that maybe this would be my last year, or maybe I could squeak another year out if somebody gets hurt or goes down in training camp, or maybe you get an opportunity or a call, maybe the Steelers want me back. But I think it’s a fun place to be when you’re not playing with angst or anxiety or trying to make a mistake. I just wanted to score points and win the game each week, and I think simplifying that in my head made it more fun.”
• Do you carry that feeling with you now?
MR: “Yeah, I think so. I think I got into a groove. Felt good. Obviously, we didn’t accomplish the ultimate goal when we got into the playoffs, but I think I have full confidence that I can play in this league and I can replicate that kind of consistent performance.”
• How much did Sullivan, Eddie Faulkner and staff adjust the offense for you?
MR: “Look, it was backs against the wall. We were in desperation mode trying to make the playoffs, and I wasn’t going to be coy or be quiet about things I liked or disliked. This was probably my only chance. We’re all probably in the same boat, as a staff, myself, in that we’re all fighting for our jobs, and I appreciated that.”
• How was the transition after Canada was out?
MR: “It was a change. I don’t think we tried to make it a headline story. I was just happy with the way everyone on the offense continued to work and didn’t allow it to become a distraction as much as it probably could've been a distraction just because of the Pittsburgh – the fans, we’ve got such passionate fans -- and the media. I think we responded well with the changes that were made. Matt was a dear friend. I was with him for three seasons. I only wish him the best moving forward. I’m sure he’ll be OK, get a job somewhere. Then Mike and Eddie tag-teamed the leadership role moving forward. I thought they did a good job in a tough circumstance, especially Mike calling plays in an offense that really wasn’t his. We added a couple concepts here and there ... but in the middle of the week, you can try to change too much and guys’ heads start to spin. There were subtle changes. But I was happy with the way guys responded and rallied and didn’t let it become a distraction.”
• Does the NFL give quarterbacks time to grow and develop?
MR: “It’s a business. That’s what’s great about seeing people like Geno Smith, who I've looked up to. Came in, played well, but also had some adversity early in his career and then stayed the course, stayed positive, and developed quite a bit and turned into a heck of a starting quarterback. I think it’s good when you see those kinds of stories because ... you see, there’s a lot of football, and I think ‘football justice’ is a real thing. If you stay the course and work hard and you’ve got a good attitude, you’re going to get an opportunity at some point. It might be years down the road. I tried to stay positive in my own situation. So, my answer is yes and no. Players are expected to perform based on where you’re drafted, and quickly. Some people are ready to step up. Our friend Pouncey started as a rookie and played at a high level. Then there’s people who hit their stride later in their career, if they don’t get chewed up and spat out. I think every situation’s different. But it’s inspiring when you see guys who stick it out and get the last laugh.”
• What can you take from this experience you just had?
MR: “You take the confidence. You take the good memories and the practice reps each week. Fans only see the games, but the weeks of practice, going through the week as the starting quarterback, the meetings, the walkthroughs, the practices, the post-practice meetings – just getting back into the rhythm makes you feel alive again and it reminds you of what the grind of the week is like. And I love that grind. And I embrace it. And I very much look forward to doing that again, hopefully soon, wherever I get that opportunity. I think I can do it and I think I’m excited to do it.”
• Viewer Q: Why didn’t Tomlin see your ability for himself?
MR: “I think the reason why ... I understand the question, but I'll forever be grateful to Omar Khan and Mike for bringing me back this past fall and giving me a chance to be ready, giving me a platform to keep myself sharp in the off chance an opportunity did come. And sure enough, it did. They believed in me enough to bring me back and be a part of the squad. I'm thankful for that.”
• Viewer Q: What's your relationship like with Kenny?
“Kenny’s a dear friend. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him spending two years, now, with him in the quarterback room. He and Mitch are both great human beings. He a good player. And he likes country music, so what else do you need to know about him? He’s a great guy. He likes a lot of different kinds of music. ... It was a great room with Coach Sullivan. And Kenny’s a great friend.”
• Viewer Q: Are you coming back?
MR: “I went through free agency last year. Learned a lot. It was discouraging at times, but it was a good experience to understand how those months flow. We'll see what happens. I know I felt good playing in the games I played in, and I know I want to do that again. I’m going to try to put myself in a position – whether that be in Pittsburgh or elsewhere – to try to realize that opportunity and try to accomplish that again. We’ll see. A lot of it’s out of my hands, and all I can do is make the best decision for myself and my family.”
• Did you have good exit meetings before you left Pittsburgh?
MR: “Yeah, it was good. Visited with Mike T and Omar both and ... it was so early, like three or four days after we played our last game, and there’s a lot neither side knows. I felt like they meant it when they said they’d like to have me back, and I feel like they want to do future business with me. That’s good to hear. But like you said, there are so many variables and it’s still so early, it’s still January, so who knows what will happen?”
The full video:
