Roman Wilson Sparks Big Debate After He Claims Steelers Have "Elite" QB Already On Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been anything but certain this offseason. It appears as if all signs are still pointing to Aaron Rodgers eventually joining the Steelers, but until that happens, Mason Rudolph looks like the expected starter. With Will Howard and Skylar Thompson listed as backups, the Steelers seem prepared to open the season with Rudolph leading the offense while keeping an eye on Rodgers' next move.

If Rodgers does decide to join the Steelers, he would immediately take over the starting job. His arrival would shake up the entire quarterback depth chart and raise expectations for the team. Until then, many fans remain divided on whether Rudolph has what it takes to guide the team through a full NFL season. His previous starts have shown flashes of poise, but questions still linger about his consistency and long-term potential.

Second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson recently shared some revealing thoughts about Rudolph’s ability. He spoke highly of Rudolph’s accuracy and timing, saying he feels comfortable with the way the quarterback delivers the ball. Wilson’s comments suggest that at least some players in the locker room have confidence in Rudolph's leadership and believe he can step up if Rodgers never walks through the door.

"He’s an elite quarterback," Wilson said while speaking about Rudolph. "He’s really locked in and bought in."

It’s not shocking to hear that Wilson views Rudolph in a positive light. Throughout the offseason, it’s become clear that many inside the Steelers organization still believe in Rudolph’s potential. The team originally drafted him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with hopes that he might one day develop into a reliable starting quarterback. If Rudolph does end up starting for the Steelers, Wilson will be looking to have a breakout season with him as his quarterback.

While that vision never fully materialized over the years, Rudolph has shown flashes of competence when called upon. His calm demeanor, familiarity with the system, and resilience have earned him quiet respect inside the locker room. Now, with the possibility of Rodgers still uncertain, the hope among many in Pittsburgh is that if Rudolph is called upon in 2025, he can deliver a season that finally matches those early expectations.

Rudolph’s most compelling case came during the 2023 season, when the Steelers were struggling to find stability at the quarterback position. After Kenny Pickett went down with an injury and Mitch Trubisky failed to capitalize on his opportunity, the Steelers turned to Rudolph as a last resort. 

Against the odds, he responded with a three-game run that not only salvaged the season but helped push the Steelers into the playoffs. His performances were efficient, poised, and most importantly, winning. It was a brief but memorable stretch that reignited the debate about his ceiling and whether the organization had underestimated what he could bring to the table as a starting quarterback.

That late-season spark did more than just rescue the Steelers in the short-term. It reopened the door for Rudolph to be viewed as more than just a backup. For the first time in years, there’s genuine intrigue about what he might be capable of if given a full season to lead the team. 

Steelers' Mason Rudolph Could Have A Magical Season In Him

Steelers fans are cautiously optimistic, knowing the challenges ahead, but also recognizing that Rudolph has quietly weathered the ups and downs of his career with class and persistence. If Rodgers does not join the team, and if 2025 truly becomes Rudolph’s time, there's hope in Pittsburgh that he might finally author the kind of magical season that once seemed out of reach.

As the 2025 official schedule has been released, many in the national media have already begun mocking the Steelers. Some believe this could be the first losing season in Mike Tomlin’s 18-year tenure as head coach. Tomlin has never had a losing record, but that streak is widely expected to end if Rudolph, not Rodgers, is the starter.

Rudolph, however, kept that streak alive once before. Late in the 2023 season, he stepped in with the season on the line and led the Steelers to three straight wins and a playoff berth. If Rodgers doesn’t come, Rudolph may get another shot to prove the doubters wrong—and protect Tomlin’s legacy once again.

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