Roethlisberger welcomes rookie to voluntary spring practices

“Just trying to instill little things like that.”

The Steelers were not looking to draft a quarterback this year but said they selected Rudolph from Oklahoma State in the third round because they had him rated with other quarterbacks who were drafted in the first round, and the value was too good to pass up.

Roethlisberger, in a May 10 interview on 93.7 The Fan, expressed surprise the Steelers drafted a quarterback rather than pick a player who could help the team immediately. He has told the Steelers he believes he can play another three to five years.

The night the Steelers picked him, Rudolph said he did not expect Roethlisberger to mentor him, that it wasn’t his job. Then, asked on The Fan if Roethlisberger would mentor the rookie, the 36-year-old answered: “I don’t think I’ll need to, now that he said he doesn’t need me. If he asks me a question, I might just have to point to the playbook.”

Roethlisberger then laughed.

Those words spread long and far and sparked debate and criticism of Roethlisberger for his approach to a young player who might eventually succeed him.

Roethlisberger responded Tuesday.

“I think people took some things that I said into a context that I was going to be mean or rude or whatever, and that was not it at all. If you listen to the whole conversation, it was said in jest and laughing and having fun.

“I’ve never been the type to just be rude or mean to other quarterbacks. You can ask [Landry] Jones. I’ve had a lot of quarterbacks through here who were younger than me that I’ve tried to help any way that I can, so I’ll continue to do that.”

Roethlisberger’s first impression of Rudolph on the practice field?

“He’s got a big arm. He overthrew [Antonio Brown] even though AB’s not going to admit it. He seems to understand the offense, seems to not have any issues in the huddle, so I thought he did really well.”

Rudolph reminded Roethlisberger of something from his first days in a Steelers uniform.

“What I probably remember too is just that kind of the big eyes — sometimes when things are going and you see how fast it is.

“I’m going to enjoy telling him that ‘Hey this isn’t even as fast as it gets yet; pads will get a little faster, preseason will get a little faster.’ I think that’s probably one of the biggest things I see in him that I had, too.”