Mason Rudolph says he is 'battle-tested,' ready for opportunity - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Searching for a yet another spark this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph, who is set to make his first start in nearly two seasons, said Tuesday he's «battle-tested» and prepared for the opportunity to start against the Cincinnati Bengals.

«I think as the third-string quarterback, you feel like, 'Are you really earning your paycheck week to week?'» Rudolph said with a laugh. «And so I get to finally earn it this week and put my hand in the pile and go fight for a victory together.»

Selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, Rudolph started his first career game in Week 3 of the 2019 season after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury. Rudolph went on to start eight games that season, but it was a tumultuous stretch.

Not only did Rudolph get benched for former practice squad quarterback Devlin «Duck» Hodges at halftime of a game in Cincinnati, he was at the center of a brawl a week earlier in Cleveland, where defensive end Myles Garrett tried to hit Rudolph in the head with his own helmet, sparking an on-field melee that resulted in fines and suspensions.

After a brief benching, Rudolph bounced back to replace Hodges against the New York Jets, but injured his shoulder in the loss and didn't play in the season finale.

«We've all had adversity no matter if you're in the media or you play football, but I think I've had a fair share, and I think it's made me better, and it's made me a better person,» Rudolph said. «And I think about some of the things that happened in '19 — and it was quite a lot — but I'm grateful for that. I think it's made me a better man and a better leader. And it makes you more battle-tested.»

The next year, Rudolph saw clean-up