President Donald Trump gave an endorsement to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph at a Friday night rally in the city, saying he’s ‘gonna be the guy’ for the NFL franchise.
Trump’s prediction could be bad news for free agent Aaron Rodgers, as the Steelers looked like the best option left in the league for him to join.
The Steelers only have Rudolph and Will Howard on their roster after letting Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk this offseason.
Rudolph was part of the Pittsburgh contingent to join Trump on stage, giving him a personalized Steelers jersey, alongside safety Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier.
The 41-year-old Rodgers would bring a veteran presence to the locker room, with the team still leaving him unsigned nearly three months after the possibility first arose of bringing him in.
‘I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,’ Trump said. ‘I think he’s gonna get a big shot. He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s got a great arm. And I have a feeling he’s gonna be the guy.’
Donald Trump gave an endorsement to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph
Trump’s prediction could be bad news for Aaron Rodgers, who was linked with the team
Rudolph spoke at Trump’s rally in Pittsburgh on Friday as part of the Steelers’ representation
Rodgers looked to have plenty of options months ago for where he could possibly land as a free agent, including the Vikings, Giants, and Colts.
Every team that could have needed a short-term answer at quarterback with Rodgers fitting the bill, except the Steelers, made a definitive move to sign another signal caller.
The Steelers may be in less of a win-now mode than in seasons’ past, with their trade of star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys as evidence.
Head coach Mike Tomlin may want to develop a younger quarterback like Rudolph instead of a flyer on Rodgers to have postseason success in 2025.
Trump’s pledge to Rudolph comes with Rodgers’ political past, where he is friends with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was rumored to have considered the quarterback as a running mat during his third-party run for the White House.
Kennedy now serves in Trump’s cabinet, while Rodgers is still waiting for another chance in the NFL.
