Why the Titans chose Mason Rudolph to be new backup quarterback

The Tennessee Titans have their backup quarterback. Tennessee agreed to a one-year contract with 28-year-old QB Mason Rudolph during free agency.

Rudolph spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started 13 games, with a career record of 8-4-1. That includes going 3-0 with a 74.3 percent completion rate in 2023.

Rudolph will now backup Will Levis in Nashville, pushing Malik Willis further down the depth chart.

Why was Rudolph a target for the Titans?

Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan wanted a backup quarterback that was capable of starting on a dime and carrying an offense through a 2-3 game stretch. Rudolph has proved to be capable of that with Pittsburgh over the years. 

The 2019 Steelers finished 8-8, but were 5-3 with Rudolph starting. The 2023 Steelers finished 10-7 and 3-0 with Rudolph starting. For $3.62 million over one year, Titans fans should be satisfied with that addition.

Why Rudolph over the other quarterbacks on the open market? I'd imagine Rudolph comes in with a chip on his shoulder and a desire to compete. He's been passed up for opportunities in the past by the Steelers, and now he has a chance to be a cemented QB2 behind a young quarterback.

There's also the fact that Brian Callahan, who was the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, went up against Rudolph and the Steelers a handful of times. He's all to. familiar with his ability as a backup quarterback.

"I've played against Mason a couple of times. I liked Mason coming out of college as a player. He's been called upon to play and come in for Pittsburgh and he has played pretty well for them. I think he's got good experience and he's a veteran player," said Brian Callahan when speaking with the media at the NFL owners meetings.