Life in the NFL is a volatile experience for the vast majority of players.

That is only amplified when you’re a QB, as most teams carry only two, and at the most three.

Meaning, that once you get your chance, if you don’t produce, you may not ever get another one, or wait years until your next, something Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph knows all to well:

Answering The Call
“You’ve got confidence in yourself as a player,” Rudolph told reporters after the game. “But you’re kind of thinking, am I gonna jump into the commercial real estate next year or I am I gonna be playing quarterback? Absolutely those thoughts come across your head!”

Not only did Rudolph admit that a career change was a real possibility dependent on his play in Saturday’s game, but he also admitted that earlier this week was one of the more stressful times of his football career:

“I thought I had a good week of practice,” added Rudolph. “But I don’t think I slept at all. I think it was Monday night before the Tuesday practice. Just because, I hadn’t taken a full day’s [worth] of reps in a while. And so you’re a little nervous and you’re a little tightly wound.”

I think part of the reason that people resonate with Rudolph, whether it be fans or media is that not only is he down to Earth, but he’s always been candid and straight forward as a person.

More importantly though, Rudolph seemingly has the pulse of the locker room and the belief of his teammates:

Regardless of what happens going forward, Rudolph likely bought himself at least a few more years in the NFL after Saturday’s performance.

To be clear, this was a player who was on the street for months until Pittsburgh re-signed him after the NFL instituted the emergency third QB rule. Even still, Rudolph was inactive for almost every game until Kenny Pickett went down with his ankle.

So I would say he’s already won, but if he has his way, Rudolph would tell you his resurgence is just starting.