Roethlisberger Helping Mason Rudolph, Says Previous Comments Taken Out of Context

Much was made of Ben Roethlisberger’s comments about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ third round draft choice of Mason Rudolph, his supposed heir apparent. Rudolph was quick to dismiss any controversy and pay respect to his elder and even said Big Ben reached out to him ahead of rookie minicamp.

On Tuesday, as the Steelers convened for the start of OTAs, and as both QBs shared the field for the first time, Roethlisberger was predictably asked about those comments.

“I’ve always done that,” said Roethlisberger of helping younger QBs. “I think people took some things into a context that I was going to be mean or rude. That was not it at all. If you listen to the whole conversation I said in jest, laughing and having fun.

“I have never been the type to be rude or mean to other quarterbacks. I’ve had a lot of quarterbacks through here that have been younger than me that I’ve tried to help any way that I can. I’ll continue to do that.”

Ben Roethlisberger said he helped Mason Rudolph on a throw in Tuesday’s workout, believes his radio comments about the rookie were framed in the wrong context. Never intended to be mean. pic.twitter.com/ehk9P0TQGa

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2018

As far as Rudolph goes, the future Hall of Famer says he likes what he’s seen so far.

“He has a big arm,” Roethlisberger said. “Seems to understand the offense. Seems to not have any issues in the huddle. So I thought he did really well.”

Big Ben also took the chance to begin mentoring the rookie QB by giving him a pointer or two on intermediate throws. Good eye, Ben.

#7 helping #2 ??? pic.twitter.com/eS5mOGbiYE

— Boone Pickens State (@BP_State) May 22, 2018

“I tried to help him out with a couple of things I saw out there. He hasn’t asked me anything yet, but I inputted my two cents,” said Roethlisberger. “There was a particular play he ran a little naked on and he was six or seven yards from Rosie (Roosevelt Nix). He threw it pretty hard at Rosie and threw it high, and Rosie didn’t catch it. I pulled him aside and said you’ll learn quickly every throw doesn’t have to be the hardest throw you can make. You don’t have to put every throw on guy’s chests as hard as you can. That’s a great opportunity for a nice easy touch pass. Just trying to instill things like that.”

Hopefully, that’s last of the QB controversy in the Steel City, that is until Mason usurps Landry Jones as QB2 in training camp.