Mason Rudolph just dropped a bombshell, straight up admitting he’s “jealous” of the quarterback-grooming system Mike McCarthy has cooking for young QBs Will Howard and Drew Allar. This isn’t just a casual compliment from a seasoned player, it’s a full-on endorsement of what McCarthy is building.
Young Guns Get Their Shot Against the Jets
Rudolph, a guy who’s been in the league since 2018, mostly riding the pine as a Steelers backup quarterback, has seen his share of offensive systems. But the structure McCarthy has implemented, especially for these young signal-callers, has clearly made an impression. McCarthy announced Wednesday that Howard and Allar are set to play in this week’s preseason game against the Jets. What does that mean for the vets? Well, starting QB Aaron Rodgers and Rudolph himself get to kick back, watch, and see what the kids can do on Friday. That’s a huge opportunity for Howard and Allar, getting the reps while the established guys observe and cheer them on.
Rudolph’s Honest Take and a Potential Jab
The transparency from Rudolph is what really hits different. He told Tim Benz of TribLive.com on Wednesday that he’s fully aware the fanbase is “starved for a franchise QB.” He gets that people “want to have hope for the future beyond this year.” And with Howard and Allar, he sees it. Rudolph went on to say, “We’ve got two great quarterbacks who are young and progressing. I really am jealous of the structure they have had and this program and this quarterback-grooming system the way that coach McCarthy has done it, because I feel that they have made a lot of strides. I’ll be rooting them on Friday.” Talk about a strong statement, right? The source article even pointed out this could be interpreted as a low-key jab at some of Rudolph’s previous coaches, maybe even former head coach Mike Tomlin. It makes you wonder what kind of development system Rudolph feels he *missed* earlier in his career, and what McCarthy is doing so differently.
So, all eyes are on Friday’s preseason game against the Jets. Will Howard and Drew Allar get to show what they’ve learned under McCarthy’s lauded program. Rudolph himself will be rooting them on, clearly invested in their growth. For a fanbase hungry for a long-term solution under center, this could be the first real glimpse into that future. What strides will these young QBs make when the lights come on? We’ll find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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