Mason Rudolph Sparks Outrage After Loss by Heaping Praise on Rookie Ozzy Trapilo — Then Does Something That Left Steelers Fans Fuming
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — November 27, 2025
After the Steelers’ disappointing 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 13, the biggest surprise didn’t come from the scoreboard — it came from Mason Rudolph. The veteran quarterback, making a rare start in place of an injured Aaron Rodgers, captured national attention postgame for his unexpected praise of a rookie on the opposing team: offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo.
Trapilo, the Bears’ second-round selection out of Boston College, was forced into the starting lineup after a warm-up injury sidelined starting left tackle Braxton Jones. Against a ferocious Steelers pass rush led the rookie didn’t just hold his own — he dominated the edge, keeping the pocket clean for Caleb Williams all afternoon.
Rudolph, who was sacked four times and pressured on nearly every dropback, took time during his postgame interview to call out Trapilo’s performance. “I know people won’t want to hear this after a loss,” he said, “but that rookie on the edge — Trapilo — he played his heart out. He was a wall today. I’ve been in this league long enough to know when I’m seeing something special.”
But it was what happened moments later that truly stirred up the Steelers faithful. As players exchanged handshakes at midfield, cameras caught Rudolph jogging over to Trapilo — not just to offer a handshake, but to gift him a signed pair of his cleats and say, “Man, you earned every snap. Keep ballin’.”
The clip went viral almost instantly, drawing harsh criticism from fans who believed Rudolph’s actions sent the wrong message after a game the Steelers desperately needed to win. “We’re 6–5,” one user posted. “And our QB is giving gifts to the enemy? That’s soft.”
Meanwhile, Bears fans and national analysts viewed the moment as a classy gesture from a veteran acknowledging the rise of a future star. Trapilo, for his part, said he was “humbled and speechless” by the recognition.
In the end, Mason Rudolph’s postgame act may divide opinions, but one thing is certain — Ozzy Trapilo’s coming-out party has the NFL talking, and his quiet rise may not be so quiet for long.
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