Steelers' Mason Rudolph's Roster Spot Not In Jeopardy

The Pittsburgh Steelers are amid a quarterback debacle ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The team is unsure of who their starter will be. Many view Mason Rudolph as potentially the odd man out, but as it stands, the quarterback has the most experience on the roster as the team's QB. Pittsburgh is unsure if their starter last season, Aaron Rodgers, will be back for 2026, and they have yet to commit to their young quarterback, Will Howard. The team needs a quarterback with experience, and Rudolph brings that to the table. 

There has been plenty of talk surrounding who will quarterback the Steelers in 2026. Rudolph has not been mentioned as a starter, but his role on the team remains important. Rudolph has been a resilient part of the Steelers' system since 2018, outside of one season with the Tennessee Titans. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy was drafted in the third round at pick 76 after the Steelers traded up for him with the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, Rudolph has been a consistent part of the quarterback room in Pittsburgh. Rudolph got his time to shine in 2019 after Ben Roethlisberger went down with a devastating elbow injury. 

That season, Rudolph started eight games in 2019 and went 5-5. He was a respectable player and kept the Steelers in it that season. He helped maintain former head coach Mike Tomlin's non-losing season streak too. Rudolph found himself in a similar situation in 2023, where he helped Pittsburgh make a miraculous run to the playoffs. He went 3-1 as a starter in 2023, including a three-game win streak that propelled the Steelers to the postseason. Rudolph put up great numbers and was in his element during that run. The team would go on to lose 17-31 in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills that season. 

Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac gave his insight on Rudolph's roster status as of right now. When asked about whether Rodgers coming back and drafting a QB impacts Rudolph, he had a profound opinion.

"I don't think so because then you would have two unproven QBs as backups," Dulac said.

Rudolph does have the upper hand when it comes to his experience. The signal-caller has been in the league for eight seasons now. If the Steelers went with a draft pick and Howard, that would leave two quarterbacks without any NFL experience to plug and play, even if Rodgers does sign. The Steelers have made it clear that they want to remain competitive in 2026, and without an experienced backup, if their starter were to have to miss time, they would have an issue winning. Rudolph brings a solid resume to the table as a reliable backup who has proven to win games in relief. 

Rudolph's experience gives another advantage, as almost all of his time in the NFL has been as a Steeler. Rudolph knows the "Steeler way" and has remained through offensive coordinator and QB coach changes, and now a head coaching change. His resiliency through this proves the organization trusts him. Rudolph has been stagnant in the quarterback room for years, making him a valuable option to keep if a starter goes down. 

Steelers' Quarterback Room Needs Rudolph As A Leader

Rudolph remaining in the quarterback room will prove to be helpful for the young Steelers quarterbacks, Howard, and potentially a draft pick. Rudolph brings a ton of veteran wisdom to the table. Rudolph has learned to grow under legendary QBs in Roethlisberger and Rodgers, and can pass that wisdom on to the younger generation. 

Rudolph has in-game experience and has playoff experience under his belt. The Steelers would be wise to keep Rudolph as a capable backup and mentor for the next young quarterback who could start for Pittsburgh. Veteran experience pays dividends. 

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