According to legend, Robert Johnson was a botched bluesman who disappeared from the scene, only to suddenly return one day with skills that are still talked about 90 years later. True believers say Robert’s transformation was due to a deal with the Devil at the Crossroads. Now, Steelers Nation must ask if a new deal has been reached at the confluence, as we are witnessing perhaps the biggest transformation this side of Cybertron.

Don’t look now, but Mason Rudolph just won some voluntary OTAs. Let’s see how it happened.

The work

From the moment Mase first stepped onto the pitch, he was already exceeding the expectations of his biggest doubters. Corners of Steeler Nation publicly hoped he would only be there to wear Kenny Pickett’s (tiny) gloves. Much to their chagrin, not only is Mason in the mix, but he’s second in line, just behind TruPittsky. Of course, some will try to say we can’t determine anything from those five-yard throws to running backs in May. But I see a quarterback performing an integral part of Canada’s offense, something Mason has experience with. Just think of the advantage Mase will have in the upcoming -5-yard passing drills.

The style

The real ones know how to use style to stand out from the crowd and make a statement in even the most everyday environment. For Mase, the name of the game is headgear. Fans should already know the connection between Mason and his hat. So the OTA scene was no accident. While Kenny stuck with the ugly draft hat that’s seemingly been stuck on since pick 20, Mase chose the Salute to Service cap with the camo shade that would only help you blend in, if you were looking Red Bull Strawberry Apricot at Mount Nice Wal-Mart. It’s a pre-Memorial Day salute that I salute.

Then Mase flipped the script in the locker room by slipping into a second tweak: this time the clean, crisp logo on gray. Mason hit the cameras looking fresh and clean with a shimmering glow on his face. Is Mase waiting?? Yes, I expect to be in the mix!

The charisma

This is where the real transformation begins. A month ago he was hard to tell Jim Rome about his awkward “funny conversations” with Matt Canada. His interview with Rich Eisen gave a bit of the impression that Tomlin was his babysitter, not his head coach. But now something has changed. This may be because corner locker #7 no longer casts such a large shadow in the clubhouse. Maybe it’s because he’s a 5th-year senior on offense, among a bunch of underclassmen. He is neither anxious nor tense. It’s laid back, cool, collective, and dare I say, charming? If Mitch Trubisky is the nice guy who could date your daughter, Mason Rudolph is The Fonz, who holds court at Arnold. And this bad boy wants to be the leader of the pack. In fact, he once used a switchblade to carve the captain’s “C” into his leather jacket.

“Management perspective. I think I’m able to step up a bit more this year, and be a bit vocal. We are a young offensive. So from a leadership perspective, I’m excited to do it. – Mason Rudolf

The comedy

Like Robert Johnson and the blues, Mase took his comedy game to master level seemingly overnight. Nothing screams cool and confident like someone who is humble, self-aware and self-deprecating in the face of an uncertain future.

Q: “Wasn’t there a moment during this offseason when you were No. 1 on the depth chart?”
Mason Rodolphe: “It’s probably because I was the only quarterback on the list”

Since Johnny Carson had Rodney on the couch, I haven’t seen better timing and execution. Mase could have dropped the microphone right there, but there was more water in the well.

This doesn’t sound like a recap of ‘The Bachelorette,’ but did you hear what Mason C said about Mason R? Has anyone in Steeler Nation ever described Mase in these terms before?

“He’s a handsome man, so he’s hard to beat. He’s pretty cool… He’s single. He’s handsome… I used to be cool, but not anymore. – mason cole

His teammates want to be him. The ladies want to be around him. Journalists believe he has the answers to their questions. Where does this guy come from and what is he able to accomplish next?

Narrator: He already did.

Kyle Chrise is the host of “What Yinz Talkin’ Bout”. Listen to new episodes every Thursday on the Behind the steel curtain podcast network.