Mason Rudolph

Latest On Steelers, Aaron Rodgers; Mike Tomlin High On Shedeur Sanders?

April 18th, 2025 at 12:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 18: Members of the Steelers’ organization are anxious to move forward, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. He adds, however, that Pittsburgh remains open to working out a deal – something which may very well take place after the draft. Jones predicts the Steelers’ “cutoff point” on the Rodgers front will come at some time this offseason, but it will likely not be after a rookie is selected (presuming the team takes that route next week).

APRIL 17: Aaron Rodgers broke his silence Thursday, but while he spoke of a disappointing exit meeting with the Jets’ new brass and of his batch of suitors, the high-profile (and high-maintenance) quarterback did not give a timeline for when, or if, he would sign. This leaves the Steelers — the lone team still waiting out this situation — a major question to answer soon. Will they opt to join the Giants in moving on?

That is not out of the question. This might be a situation the team chooses to steer clear of due to the “headache” that has been known to come with employing Rodgers, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. The Steelers still seem quite interested in Rodgers, to the point their power brokers expressed optimism about an agreement coming to fruition recently. But Pittsburgh’s offer has been on the table for over a month now. With the draft a week away, the team at least needs to have a contingency plan.

Going from Russell Wilson to Mason Rudolph would not qualify as an upgrade for the Steelers, despite the party line of the team being confident in the former Ben Roethlisberger backup and Kenny Pickett replacement. Retirement remains in play for Rodgers, who had alerted the Vikings of his interest in landing there this offseason. The Giants saw the writing on the wall and signed Wilson.

While Rodgers has thrown passes to D.K. Metcalf this offseason, the Steelers may need to come out of this draft with a starter-caliber option. Otherwise, the Rudolph insurance option may become necessary. Joe Flacco rejoining the Browns, and the Falcons are still wanting a suitor to pay a sizable portion of Kirk Cousins‘ 2025 salary in the event of a post-draft trade. That is believed to be an issue for the Steelers.

Rodgers did not give the Steelers an ultimatum regarding their draft strategy, as he would qualify as likely a 2025-only solution if he were to sign. This would not stand to affect the Steelers in the draft, though had Rodgers committed already, the team could certainly have the freedom to bolster its roster around the aging QB in the first round. Instead, the prospect the team uses a first-round pick on a quarterback has been bandied about for weeks. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft sends Shedeur Sanders to Pittsburgh at No. 21, and Pauline points to that scenario being one the team’s highest-profile staffer may well endorse.

Mike Tomlin is a Sanders supporter, per Pauline, who adds the 19th-year HC would be “in favor” of drafting the Colorado prospect. Sanders detractors have pointed to a lack of high-level traits worthy of a first-round pick, with the QB not resembling his Hall of Fame father-turned-coach in terms of athleticism. Sanders has received praise for his accuracy and toughness, but concerns about his upside have led to doubts about the former Division I-FCS recruit finding a top-10 landing spot.

Unless the Browns and Giants are conducting elaborate smokescreen operations, Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter (in some order) will go off the board after Cam Ward. The Raiders, Jets and Saints could be in play for Sanders, but rumors are pointing those franchises elsewhere. This could leave a door open for the Steelers, though their situation — one Rodgers’ indecision has illuminated — leaves them vulnerable to a team trading in front of them at No. 21 and snagging Sanders. Tomlin-Jalen Milroe connections had formed earlier this offseason, but Pauline adds the accomplished HC sees potential in Sanders.

It does not sound like a Sanders pick will be a must for Tomlin and Pittsburgh, but if he is still on the board at No. 21, this connection will be quite relevant. Pittsburgh is not known for moving up in Round 1, though the franchise has done so twice in the past six drafts (for Devin Bush and Broderick Jones). That would be a scenario to monitor if Sanders falls past the Saints at No. 9.

The Steelers would have options in Milroe, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Quinn Ewers. Though, Derek Carr‘s updated situation creates uncertainty regarding the Saints’ direction. New Orleans wants to leave this draft with a quarterback. The Steelers probably need to as well, in the event their Rodgers’ pursuit goes bust.

Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin Remain In Contact

April 1st, 2025 at 10:52am CST by Ben Levine

APRIL 1: When speaking at the league meetings on Tuesday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II confirmed (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) “signs are pointing in that direction” with respect to a Rodgers deal being worked out. He added the team is still willing to wait for Rodgers at this point, although that will not be the case forever (h/t Pryor).

MARCH 31: We may not be any closer to Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh, but all signs continue to point to the quarterback joining the Steelers. While speaking with reporters today, coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that he’s remained in contact with Rodgers since their in-person meeting on March 21 (via Mark Maske of The Washington Post).

While Tomlin acknowledged that he didn’t have any new updates on the public flirtation between the two sides, he did reiterate that there isn’t any urgency for a resolution. Following reports from yesterday that training camp would represent the “line of demarcation” for the organization, Tomlin said he’s “really comfortable with being unsettled this time of year” (via Maske).

Tomlin also talked about his meeting with Rodgers, noting that he was happy to speak with a long-time competitor.

“There’s no substitute for intimacy and spending time together,” Tomlin said (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). “[G]etting to know one another in a non-competitive environment.”

As Rodgers considers his next move, Tomlin isn’t the only Steelers employee he’s been talking to. According to Garafolo, the QB had a throwing session with recent acquisition D.K. Metcalf. Garafolo suggests this could simply be a part of Rodgers’ process as he evaluates the potential landing spot, but it could also be the determining factor before the player puts pen to paper.

Considering the Steelers’ lack of free agent options and Rodgers’ dearth of remaining suitors, the two sides seem to be a natural pairing. While the assumption is that they’ll eventually link up, the organization seems to be proactively planting the seeds in case a contract doesn’t come to fruition. While speaking with reporters today, Tomlin said the Steelers would be comfortable heading into next season with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback.

“That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”

Of course, the Steelers got a look at Rudolph as a starter during his first stint in Pittsburgh, as the former third-round pick went 8-4-1 as a starter between 2019 and 2023. Rudolph didn’t fare nearly as well during his 2024 stay in Tennessee (1-4 as a starter), but the Steelers were still confident enough in his ability to bring him back on a two-year deal. Skylar Thompson is the only other QB currently on the Steelers roster.

Titans Refute Report Of Will Levis Trade Talks

March 30th, 2025 at 8:38pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Titans executive Chad Brinker refuted a recent report that the team was engaging in talks to trade quarterback Will Levis

“That’s a false report,” said Brinker, the team’s president of football operations (via senior team reporter Jim Wyatt). “We have not contacted anybody, and nobody has contacted us, about Will Levis.”

Levis was the Titans’ second-round pick in 2023 and took over as the team’s starting quarterback midway through his rookie year. In 2024, he made 12 starts, missing three games in the middle of the season due to injury and splitting time with Mason Rudolph to end the season. The Titans were interested in re-signing Rudolph, according to Wyatt, but he opted to return to Pittsburgh instead.

Rather than dealing Levis, the Titans see him as a potential starter in 2025, even if they were to use one of their top draft picks on a quarterback.

“The plan with Will Levis is he has a chance to compete for a starting job next year,” said Brinker. Even if he doesn’t win the job, his youth, athleticism, and familiarity with the Titans offense will likely keep him in place as a backup.

Brinker added that the team would prefer to have four quarterbacks heading into training camp. Currently, they have three: Levis, Brandon Allen, and Tim Boyle, the latter two of whom were signed to one-year deals in free agency. Brinker came up in a Packers organization that frequently had four quarterbacks in training camp, per Main Street Media’s Terry McCormick.

Brinker’s comments further indicate that the Titans will draft Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick, giving the team their fourth quarterback who can enter training camp competing with Levis for the starting job.

Steelers Have No Timeline For Aaron Rodgers Deal, Still Exploring Other QBs

March 30th, 2025 at 7:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that the team has no exact timeline to sign Aaron Rodgers, per team writer Dale Lolley.

Training camp, however, would be a “line of demarcation,” per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. At that point, not having a quarterback in place would hinder the team’s ability to build chemistry and cohesiveness before the season.

Pittsburgh’s public pursuit of the four-time MVP has not advanced past a six-hour visit on March 21. Tomlin said that the two sides were focused on getting to know each other during the meeting. He also did not rule out another addition to a Steelers quarterback room that currently features two players – Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson – who have combined for 21 career starts.

“We’re still evaluating the acquisition of a guy at the position, whether it’s in free agency and/or the draft,” said Tomlin (via Lolley).

Rodgers is the only starting-caliber quarterback available in free agency, but the Steelers could explore trading for Kirk Cousins after the draft. That would likely be predicated on Pittsburgh not picking a quarterback in the first round of April’s draft. The team currently holds the No. 21 pick, where top quarterback prospects Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are not expected to be available.

The Steelers have been scouting the rest of the 2025 quarterback class, including Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, Ohio State’s Will Howard, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers. Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan visited all three schools’ pro days in recent weeks, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.

Tomlin also acknowledged the possibility of entering the season with Rudolph as the starter.

“I think that’s why we reacquired him. We like Mason Rudolph, but you know, that’s no secret,” he said (via DeFabo).

Giants Eyed Mason Rudolph As QB Option

March 20th, 2025 at 11:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

It is unclear where the Giants reside in the Aaron Rodgers race, but most indications do not have them in the lead. The Vikings may well have been in front, and their decision to stand down for the time being may not accelerate Rodgers’ interest in taking a Pittsburgh or New York off-ramp anytime soon.

The Giants and Steelers will understandably want clarity soon, as we are winding down the second week of free agency. While these teams are competing for Rodgers, they also waged a lower-stakes battle for a backup recently. As the Giants have met with both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo notes they were also wanting to speak with Mason Rudolph. The Steelers foiled those plans.

Rudolph agreed to return to Pittsburgh after a season in Tennessee, rejoining the Steelers on a two-year, $8MM deal. Rudolph closed the 2023 season as Pittsburgh’s starter, usurping Kenny Pickett, but he is not expected to reprise that role — at least, that does not appear Plan A or Plan B for the AFC North team. But Rudolph represents insurance in the event the Rodgers proceedings do not go Pittsburgh’s way.

It appears the Giants assessed this situation similarly, and it is certainly worth noting that Rudolph appeared on their radar as a backup option as Drew Lock remains in free agency. While a generally erratic passer, the former Broncos starter did deliver an impressive effort in an upset win over the Colts. He spent last season in Brian Daboll‘s system and is among the top QB options left unsigned. Rudolph made five Titans starts last season, going 1-4 and finishing with a 9:9 TD-INT ratio. This still secured the former third-round pick a raise — up from a one-year, $2.87MM Tennessee deal — for 2025.

A Rudolph signing would have likely preceded a flood of rumors tying the Giants to a first-round quarterback pick. Had New York’s Matthew Stafford plan worked, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan writes the team would have been unlikely to add an early-round QB as a developmental option (subscription required). It is then worth wondering if a Rodgers addition would impede the Giants in an effort to draft a first-round QB.

Although the Giants are desperate for a long-term solution, Rodgers would become a surefire starter. And he may not be overly eager to join a team that would identify his replacement weeks after signing him. With Rodgers turning 42 before year’s end, such luxuries may not be afforded. After all, Daboll and Joe Schoen are on scorching-hot seats. Still, the Giants landing Rodgers may make them less inclined to use their No. 3 overall pick on a QB. Wilson, Winston or Joe Flacco joining the team, though, may not quiet noise about a Round 1 investment at the position.

Rudolph, 29, may soon be either Rodgers or Wilson’s backup. The seven-year veteran played that role behind Ben Roethlisberger and had fallen to the third-stringer during Mitchell Trubisky‘s stopover. The latter struggling led Rudolph into the Steelers’ lineup. Until Rodgers decides, however, Rudolph’s true outlook remains a bit foggy ahead of his second stint in Pittsburgh.

Steelers To Bring Back Mason Rudolph

March 14th, 2025 at 12:14am CST by Adam La Rose

It remains to be seen who will operate as the Steelers’ starting quarterback in 2025, but a familiar face will handle backup duties. Mason Rudolph is returning to Pittsburgh, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

This will be a two-year pact worth $8MM. Rudolph will collect $4.5MM in guarantees upon returning to the Steelers after playing with them from 2018-23. Another pact with the Titans received consideration, per the report, but Rudolph’s preference was to come back to Pittsburgh.

The Steelers rebuilt their QB room last offseason, allowing Rudolph to take a one-year Titans deal while trading away Kenny Pickett and releasing Mitch Trubisky. They were replaced by Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, setting up a notable one-year experiment with both new passers on expiring deals. Fields was the team’s preference regarding a 2025 deal, but he is headed to the Jets. That leaves Wilson as a fallback option in Pittsburgh’s case, although he has visits lined up with the Giants and Browns.

Of course, the Steelers are among the suitors for Aaron Rodgers. The NFL’s next major quarterback domino will be his decision on playing in 2025, and if so, where. Pittsburgh has made an offer, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic notes the team is waiting to hear back from him. The four-time MVP has other suitors, and the Giants have frequently been mentioned as a potential landing spot. The Vikings, meanwhile, still find themselves in the mix.

However things shake out atop the depth chart for Pittsburgh, Rudolph’s return will give the team a familiar backup option. The 29-year-old made 13 starts across his Steelers tenure, with eight of them coming in 2019. He posted a passer rating of 86.9 along with a 19:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio in Pittsburgh, numbers which left plenty to be desired. Rudolph’s one-year Titans pact came with limited expectations but it allowed him to compete for the starting gig.

Will Levis‘ second year in the NFL did not go according to plan in Tennessee, and the team benched him in December. That opened the door for Rudolph to see playing time, and the Oklahoma State product made five starts amongst his eight appearances. After going 1-4 in that span and throwing as many touchdown passes (nine) as interceptions, it comes as little surprise Rudolph waited longer than many of the other quarterbacks on the market to land a deal. He is returning to an organization which valued him throughout his career, though, and it will be interesting to see if h winds up seeing any playing time in 2025.

Titans Rumors: Darnold, Ward, Sanders, Carter, Hunter, Levis, Rudolph

March 6th, 2025 at 10:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not seeing their Will Levis plan work out, the Titans have to chart a path to finding a better option. The team has an interesting dilemma, holding the No. 1 overall pick in a draft not flush with QB talent. In fact, teams may be determining only one passer will be worth taking near the top of the first round.

As Cam Ward continues to build a lead on Shedeur Sanders for the slot as this draft’s top quarterback, the Titans first must determine how much they want to spend on a free agent. Which way Tennessee goes in free agency could determine if it wants a first-round quarterback, as rumblings about the team being eager to move out of No. 1 persist.

Several teams could use at least a bridge quarterback, but Sam Darnold may be eyeing a fit that goes beyond well-paid stopgap. The Titans are believed to have interest in Darnold, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport, but at a price. The team wants the Vikings Pro Bowler at around $30MM per year, but may not be interested in going beyond that range. Pointing further to the Titans setting a price on Darnold, veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky notes the team should be expected to bow out if the market becomes too extreme. Baker Mayfield‘s $33MM-per-year contract surfaced as a potential Darnold zone, though the cap having climbed by $24MM may make that more of a floor.

PFR’s No. 1 free agent of the 2025 class, Darnold is going into his age-28 season. The former top-three pick did not receive a Vikings franchise tag, and while Minnesota is interested in retaining him at a rate south of the $40.2MM tag, leaving him unattached opens the door to an exit. As the Vikings remain committed to J.J. McCarthy, Darnold could bolt for a situation that does not feature an immediate challenger. Of course, he would have no way of being certain — as Kirk Cousins learned last year — the team he signs with will not immediately draft a QB. Though, the Falcons’ situation — where a $90MM QB guarantee preceded a top-10 draftee at the position — was historically rare.

Options like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and perhaps Cousins — if the Falcons relent on their current stance to keep him as a backup — would be cheaper than Darnold, but the Titans having interest is notable, as it adds another known suitor for a player who has been connected to the Vikings, Giants, Raiders and Browns. Where the bidding goes will be one of this offseason’s defining storylines, as Tennessee ending up with Darnold could influence them to draft Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter at No. 1.

The Titans have received trade offers, with the Giants being the team most closely connected to a move up. Given the lack of prospect firepower in this draft, Fowler and Davenport doubt a future first-rounder would be required in a 3-to-1 move for New York. Ward has support in the Titans’ building, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe. This could be a smokescreen aimed at bringing the Giants to offer more for the pick, but we will not have a clearer outlook on the Titans’ QB plans until after the initial free agency blitz next week.

While the team is still deciding its draft plan, Fowler and Davenport indicate Ward would be the likely pick as of now. The team believed the Miami prospect checked all the boxes during his Combine meeting, though his upcoming visit and pro day will be more telling. Team president Chad Brinker was at November’s Miami-Georgia Tech game, however. Ward, Sanders and Carter are visiting this week, while Fowler and Davenport adds Hunter’s Nashville trip is postponed to later this month.

Neither Ward nor Sanders have wowed as prospects, despite the former’s momentum. Ranking all the 2020s first-round QBs as prospects, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller slotted Ward 18th (behind last year’s sixth QB drafted, Bo Nix) and Sanders 20th — ahead of only Kenny Pickett. Scouts at the Combine believe Ward has separated from Sanders, per SNY’s Connor Hughes, with Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline adding the Colorado prospect’s perceived lack of improvement — along with the baggage the second-generation NFL prospect brings — has hurt his stock.

We have heard for a while this is a down QB draft and that a Ward-over-Sanders preference was forming, but if a gap grows between the two QBs, a club desperate to land Ward may increase its offer to the Titans for No. 1. No surprise prospect is expected to leapfrog the four frontrunners for No. 1, SI.com’s Albert Breer adds. If the Titans stay at 1, they would choose Ward, Sanders, Hunter or Carter. That elevates the importance of the March “30” visits.

New GM Mike Borgonzi was in Kansas City when the team held the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. In a down QB draft, the Chiefs instead traded two second-rounders to the 49ers for Alex Smith. Reid’s first Kansas City starter stayed five seasons, with the Chiefs trading up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017. The Chiefs chose Eric Fisher first overall in 2013, building around Smith for a while.

Borgonzi and Brinker would have the chance to take a similar route if they chose Carter or Hunter at 1 after signing a veteran. Ward’s status throws a wrench into that plan, as no 2013 passer rivaled where Ward is as a prospect. The Titans’ decision next week will represent an important part of this year’s pre-draft process.

If the Titans go with a veteran-rookie two-fer this year, Levis’ future with the team may be in doubt. Two years remain on the disappointing second-rounder’s deal. Levis’ backup/replacement, Mason Rudolph, is a free agent once again. The Titans are open to bringing back the ex-Steeler, Borgonzi said at the Combine. Rudolph signed a one-year, $2.87MM deal last year and would be unlikely to fetch much more than that this year.

Titans To Play Mason Rudolph, Will Levis In Week 18

December 30th, 2024 at 1:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

Will Levis entered 2024 as the Titans’ starting quarterback, retaining that title after returning from an AC joint sprain earlier in the year. He has been surpassed on the depth chart by Mason Rudolph, but both signal-callers will receive the opportunity to play in the season finale.

“I’ll let those guys both have a chance to play, some opportunities,” head coach Brian Callahan said on Monday (via the team’s website). “I’ll let you know by the end of the week, [who’s] the starter and all of that. But I think both guys should play some football at the end of the year.”

Levis took over as Tennessee’s starter midway through last year, and his development for 2024 was a key organizational priority. Callahan’s hire (making him a first-time head coach) was aimed at guiding the 25-year-old, but he has not produced the desired results this season. The Titans sit at 3-13 on the year, making them one of four teams sporting that record entering Week 18. As things stand, Tennessee holds the No. 2 pick in the draft.

A loss against the Texans would therefore be highly beneficial to the team’s 2025 outlook, but Levis seeing time would be notable given his uncertain future. Last year’s 33rd overall pick has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but considering his struggles this season it would come as no surprise if the Titans were to add competition under center during the offseason. Rudolph is a pending free agent, and the longtime Steeler could again be on the move depending on how his market takes shape.

If the Patriots wind up securing and retaining the No. 1 pick, the door would be open for the holder of the second selection to have their choice of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class. Depending on how the final slate of games shakes out, Tennessee could therefore be within range of at least one of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, and selecting either would constitute a move in a new direction at the quarterback spot. Levis will get one more look before a decision on that front will be made, though.

Titans Bench QB Will Levis For Week 16

December 17th, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

10:02pm: Tennessee’s Levis plan is at least on hold; a quarterback switch will happen this week. Levis will head to the bench for Week 16, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. It would stand to reason Rudolph is moving up the depth chart; he is the only other QB on the Titans’ 53-man roster. It will indeed be Rudolph in Week 16, Callahan confirmed, doing so while indicating he was not ready to make post-2024 proclamations regarding Levis.

Still, this could mark a significant change for the Titans, who had themed their offseason around adding pieces to maximize Levis. The 2023 second-round pick has not taken a noticeable step forward, and the team will sit him down — perhaps to close out the season. If a three-game benching commences, it would certainly be worth monitoring if the Titans will be aggressive to add a starter-caliber option in 2025. Given the events of this season, such a push seems likely.

8:57am: The Titans have remained steadfast in their support of Will Levis this season, but that stance may shift over the waning stages of the season. Head coach Brian Callahan said (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport) the team is contemplating a change under center.

Levis entered the 2024 campaign as Tennessee’s undisputed starter, and a central storyline for the team was his development during first full season atop the depth chart. Callahan’s first head coaching gig likewise came with the mandate of guiding the 25-year-old while the organization evaluated his potential as a franchise passer. Levis dealt with an AC joint sprain in October, but before and after that injury he has not lived up to expectations.

The 2023 second-round pick has struggled with turnovers throughout the campaign, and that trend continued on Sunday. During the third quarter of the Titans’ Week 15 loss, Levis was benched after throwing three interceptions. That brought his total on the season to 12 (matching his number of touchdown passes) in 11 games. Mason Rudolph finished the contest, and Callahan’s comments leave the door open to Rudolph starting in Week 16. The former Steeler made three starts while Levis was sidelined earlier in the year.

The team made it clear at that time, however, that Levis would reclaim the No. 1 spot when he was healthy. Indeed, the Penn State and Kentucky product took over in Week 10 and has started every contest since. If the Titans were to make a change, though, it would represent a strong signal Levis will be replaced atop the depth chart by a new passer this offseason. Sitting at 3-11 on the year, the Titans are in contention to land the top pick in April’s draft, something which would give them the opportunity to reset under center.

Rudolph saw his lengthy tenure with Pittsburgh come to an end this offseason, and he took a one-year deal with Tennessee. A run of starts would provide him with the opportunity to boost his 2025 free agent stock; it would also, of course, point further to Levis’ run as a QB1 option coming to an end. Two more years remain on his rookie contract, but it very much remains to be seen how the Titans will proceed at the position during that span.

QB Mason Rudolph To Start For Titans In Week 7

October 19th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Titans usual starting quarterback Will Levis has been dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder for the past two weeks. That didn’t stop Tennessee from starting him last week against the Colts, but this week, the Titans will sit the injured passer, announcing Mason Rudolph as the starter instead, per Titans beat writer Paul Kuharksy.

Levis retained the starting duties from his rookie season after throwing eight touchdowns to four interceptions despite sporting a 3-6 record as a starter. The performance in his sophomore campaign seems to reflect the win-loss record a bit more accordingly. In five starts this season, Levis has thrown five touchdowns to seven interceptions en route to a 1-4 record. The one game he started that resulted in a win saw him leave after only 11 offensive snaps while Rudolph took over and led the team to a win.

Rudolph was acquired in the offseason as an improved backup option over former third-round pick Malik Willis. Rudolph ended up beating out Willis for the backup job, resulting in Willis getting traded to Green Bay. Rudolph brought a good amount of experience stepping in as a starter from his time in Pittsburgh, sporting an impressive 8-4-1 record despite never being a consistent starter. Rudolph wasn’t asked to do much when he took over for Levis in Week 4, only completing nine passes for 85 yards, but the result of the game is hard to ignore.

Rudolph will now get another chance to step in as the starter again as Levis deals with his injury. In making this announcement, sources haven’t seemed to rule Levis out, indicating that he might be available in an emergency, but with a league-leading 10 turnovers adding insult to injury, it feels like this may be a benching. The team did elevate quarterback Trevor Siemian from the practice squad for the weekend, as well, so there’s a chance that Levis isn’t even QB2 this week and a chance that he’ll be inactive, as well.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the grade 2 AC sprain could continue to hold Levis out in the future. Levis has played through injury in the past and is considered “week-to-week,” but this type of injury often holds players out for four to five weeks. In the meantime, it looks like Rudolph will get a chance to show what he can do at the helm of the Titans offense.

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