PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave his backup quarterback Mason Rudolph high praise for displaying a cool, calm and collected demeanor when replacing an injured Aaron Rodgers in the second half of Sunday's 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals .
"Mason's proved in the past what he showed today," Tomlin said. "That's why we value him as a member of this collective and appreciative of his play. He's always delivered when called upon in the past. His performance was consistent with what he's done in the past for us. Not that we take it for granted. We don't. We appreciate it."
Rudolph led the Steelers offense in the second half, completing 12 of 16 passes (75.%) for 127 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 118.5.
Rodgers, 41, hadn't missed an offensive snap for the Steelers this season up until suffering a left wrist injury late in the second half. The 21st-year veteran entered the day having passed for 1,853 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Before exiting, he'd gone 9 of 15 for 116 yards and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell in the first quarter.
Rudolph called it "very special" to play in front of Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium again. Rudolph, who was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, spent last season with the Tennessee Titans .
"I love playing here," Rudolph said. "This is where I was drafted and this is home. It's very special."
Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III was happy to see Rudolph thrive in the clutch on Sunday.
"I did. That was to be expected because I know he's well-loved here," Austin said. "He's done a lot of good things for the community and as a player here."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16. 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Rudolph revealed that Rodgers let him know that he would be under center in the second half.
"He gave me the finger and said, 'Hey, you're going.' Not the bad finger, but the index," Rudolph explained. "He said, 'You're going in.'"
Rudolph didn't have to do much to secure the win for the Steelers, as the defensive recorded two touchdowns in the second half. Running back Kenneth Gainwell also had made life easier with some nice catch and runs, including a 5-yard touchdown reception.
"You always have a little jitters the first time going back in all year. But when we're running the ball the way we were and then a couple guys made a couple nice plays on third-and-extra-long … and two defensive touchdowns right when we needed it most. It was huge."
As Tomlin mentioned, Rudolph has always been reliable for the Steelers. Rudolph has the same kind of gratitude toward the Steelers organization.
"I was really thankful for the opportunity I had last year in Tennessee, the way things worked out, to get a different perspective on football," Rudolph said. "But coming back here, there's just so much comfortability from the people you see in the tunnel that work security, the friendly faces there on the field. It really feels like home.
"I wouldn't say it's easy, but it's very comfortable to come back in and just know where everything is. You've won games here, and that gives you confidence."
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Mason Rudolph Rises to the Occasion in Steelers' Win over Bengals: 'That's Why We Value Him'
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