Mason Rudolph just straight-up confirmed what everyone was probably thinking: he’s absolutely stoked Myles Garrett is no longer tearing up the AFC North. Seriously, after years of bad blood and that absolutely wild helmet incident, Rudolph is celebrating Garrett’s trade to the Rams. You can practically hear the sigh of relief coming out of Pittsburgh.
No More AFC North Showdowns For Garrett and Rudolph
Remember November 14, 2019? Of course, you do. That’s the night Myles Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and swung it at his head, cementing their names in NFL lore forever. Now, with Garrett gone from Cleveland to the NFC West’s Rams, that era is officially over. Rudolph, who’s still with the Steelers after a quick detour to the Titans for a year, didn’t hold back when talking about it on teammate Cam Heyward’s *Not Just Football* podcast. Via Steelers Depot, Rudolph said, “As a Pittsburgh Steeler, I’m thrilled that he is no longer in the AFC North.” It’s pretty clear how he feels, right?
“The Top of My Frontal Lobe, Yes”
Rudolph made it crystal clear the sentiment isn’t just his own. He also mentioned that coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio are “fired up about that.” Even the offensive tackles, who’d be staring down Garrett across the line, are apparently thrilled. But the kicker? Rudolph finished with, “And the top of my frontal lobe, yes.” That’s a direct, raw acknowledgment of the physical impact and the lingering memory of that infamous hit. The man felt it then, and he’s still feeling the relief now that Garrett’s out of the division.
So, what does this mean for the 2026 season? If everything goes as planned for the Steelers, Rudolph shouldn’t even be on the field at the same time as Garrett, avoiding any potential matchups. And Pittsburgh isn’t set to see Garrett or the Rams at all in 2026 unless both teams somehow make it all the way to the Super Bowl. Let’s be real, the source pretty much spells it out: one team is “far more likely” than the other to reach that championship destination. This feels like a fresh start for Rudolph and the Steelers in their division without that specific rivalry looming.
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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