Grade for Titans signing QB Mason Rudolph

Tennessee Titans general manager made it clear during the NFL combine that the team would add a third quarterback this offseason to create some competition for the backup spot behind Will Levis.

And the Titans did just that on Wednesday, with the team agreeing to terms with quarterback Mason Rudolph in what was one of a flurry of moves on the first day of the new league year.

Rudolph has spent most of his career as a backup after being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he has started in 13 of the 21 games he’s appeared in.

In those 13 games, the Oklahoma State product has completed 63.1% of his passes for 2,797 yards and 16 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and the Steelers were 8-4-1 in those contests.

His most recent starts came in 2023, when he got the nod for the Steelers’ final four games, including the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

In those four contests, Rudolph was impressive, with the 28-year-old tallying 945 yards, five scores to one pick, and a completion rate of 68.1%.

Those numbers show the Titans are getting a competent backup who can keep this team afloat if Levis has to miss time because of injury.

Of course, he’ll have to beat out Malik Willis for the No. 2 job first, but based on what we’ve seen from these two signal-callers during their respective careers, Rudolph is far and away the favorite in that competition.

As far as the contract goes, he’s getting a one-year deal that is worth up to $3.62 million, which is certainly reasonable.

Rudolph wasn’t the best backup option out there by any stretch, but he’s a solid one nonetheless and will be a big upgrade over Willis.

Grade: A