Earlier in the month, we completed a way-too-early prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 2025 regular season standings. After carefully reviewing the Steelers’ 2025 matchups against the Baltimore Ravens (twice), Cleveland Browns (twice), Cincinnati Bengals (twice), Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Indianapolis Colts, we concluded that Mike Tomlin would suffer his first losing season with an 8-9 record—potentially costing him his HC spot.
However—much to the dismay of the Black and Gold faithful—that was pre-free agency, before both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson had left the Steel City. If Aaron Rodgers—the only truly ideal 2025 starting-caliber QB left for Pittsburgh—retires before playing a snap for the Steelers, Mason Rudolph would be the next man up.
Rudolph’s play was abysmal during his first few seasons in the Steel City, but he played exceptionally well during his final few games as a Pittsburgh Steeler in 2023. However, his 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans was one of the worst of his career, throwing for an awful 9–9 TD-INT ratio, along with the second-worst passer rating of his career.
It begs the question—which version of Rudolph is the outlier, and what is he truly capable of in 2025?
Many fans, for some reason, lean toward the side of optimism—that because he had three great games in 2023, despite four other years of NFL film proving otherwise, Rudolph is the 2025 season’s savior—and that’s clearly unrealistic.
After Wilson left, Rodgers became the best QB available for the Pittsburgh Steelers—while Rudolph may be the most sane. Being a more likeable signal-caller doesn’t really translate to more wins, however, and with that in mind, here is an updated look at how the 2025 regular season may pan out:
- Bears – Loss
- Bengals – Loss (x2)
- Bills – Loss
- Browns – Win, Loss
- Chargers – Loss
- Colts – Win
- Dolphins – Loss
- Jets – Loss
- Lions – Loss
- Packers – Loss
- Patriots – Loss
- Ravens – Loss (x2)
- Seahawks – Win
- Vikings – Loss
Final too-early 2025 prediction: 3-14
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: If Aaron Rodgers retires, will Mason Rudolph cost Mike Tomlin his job?
