The Pittsburgh Steelers will be going into 2023 with Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback. Mitch Trubisky appears to be the main backup, as recently reported by Mike Tomlin. What the Steelers do about the third-string quarterback still remains a large question. Pittsburgh seems to want Mason Rudolph back to complete the QB room, but the former third-round pick appears to want a fresh start.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph has been with the Steelers since he was drafted in 2018. He has served as a decent backup that could start in a pinch, but hasn't exactly shown enough to warrant a starting gig. With a limited number of starts under his belt, could he find a backup job with another team?
Gerry Dulac of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hosted a chat session on Wednesday, two questions about Rudolph and the quarterback situation stuck out. A chatter by the name of Bill wrote, "If I am Omar, I sign Rudolph to a three-year contract for $6 million and cut $8 million Trubisky. Why doesn't this make sense?" Dulac responded with an interesting perspective, looking at it from Rudolph's point of view:
"Because you're not Mason Rudolph and you weren't demoted and you were never given a chance in the preseason and you never dressed for only one game."
Dulac is saying that even if Pittsburgh wants him to return, it wouldn't make much sense for Rudolph. He wouldn't have a chance at starting or even being the primary backup in Pittsburgh. For Rudolph, if he goes to a new team and a new situation, he could go and compete for a backup role and potentially earn some starts. This would be a much better option for Rudolph and his career.
USA TODAY
Steelers QB's Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky at 2022 training camp in Latrobe.
The second question that was asked about Rudolph came from a chatter by the name of Mr. Wick. He asks: "Is there any scenario where Rudolph returns as the #3 if he doesn't sign elsewhere or would he be content to sit out and hope a needy team picks him up mid-season? That's assuming the Steelers would even want him as a #3 now." Dulac's response to this question confirms Rudolph's wishes:
"Absolutely the Steelers would want him. But the reverse isn't true."
While we don't know how the market is on Rudolph, we can assume that he wants to find a new team and compete for some playing time. Rudolph believes he is capable of being a backup and even a starter, and that is the route he will probably take.
Steelers' Number Three QB?
If Rudolph doesn't return, who could we see come in as the third-string? Two quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft have pre-draft visits scheduled with the Steelers. Jaren Hall from BYU met with the Steelers on Wednesday. Hall is looked at as a high-upside pick, but comes with high risk. He has a great arm with good mobility, but comes with uncertainty as he will be a 25-year-old rookie with only two years of starting experience.
University of Houston Athletics
Quarterback Clayton Tune had an impressive 2022 season, but projects as more of a project at the NFL level.
Clayton Tune from Houston was a four-year starter and three-time team captain. He has great pocket presence and his throws are incredibly consistent. Tune is a traditional-style quarterback and a sneaky-good athlete. His scheduled visit with the Steelers doesn't have a set date at the moment, but it appears that Pittsburgh is extremely intrigued by Tune. Expect him to keep garnering buzz in the later rounds.
Do you think Rudolph will find a backup job somewhere else? Who do you want as the QB3 for next season? Let us know in the comments below.
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