Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is again on the town. It looks as if his jersey quantity is, too. Per the crew web site, they present Rudolph being re-issued No. 2, the digits he wore throughout his first stint with the crew.
Whereas not a shock, it’s notable primarily for that means CB Darius Slay gained’t be carrying No. 2. That’s the jersey quantity he wore all through his Philadelphia Eagles profession and one he probably might’ve carried over to Pittsburgh. Although the Steelers don’t have a behavior of issuing single-digit jerseys to non-quarterbacks, kickers, and punters, they’ve made exceptions in recent times. Linebacker Patrick Queen was permitted to hold over the No. 6 jersey he wore at LSU and with the Baltimore Ravens whereas WR DK Metcalf, opting towards requesting the No. 14 jersey George Pickens sports activities, will put on No. 4 as an alternative.
In the long run, it appears Mason Rudolph is getting No. 1 dibs at No. 2 over Darius Slay. In equity, it wasn’t a quantity sacred to both participant. Although he wore it in faculty, Rudolph wore No. 11 final yr with the Tennessee Titans whereas Slay wore “conventional” jerseys previous to 2021, together with No. 24 throughout his first season with the Eagles in 2020.
No. 2 additionally represents the place on the depth chart he’s almost certainly to occupy. Pittsburgh stays in pursuit of Aaron Rodgers with Russell Wilson a potential backup plan. Signing both would safe Rudolph because the understudy however prime possibility ought to the starter go down. Succesful and competent off the bench, he’ll function one of many NFL’s stronger backups and his expertise off the bench is engaging to a Pittsburgh crew that likes Sunday expertise top-to-bottom on their depth chart.
Jersey numbers for the opposite Steelers’ free agent signings haven’t been introduced. That features ILB Malik Harrison, RB Kenneth Gainwell, CB Brandin Echols, and Slay. Such info will doubtless be identified forward of OTAs this spring.