The Pittsburgh Steelers roster for the upcoming season is just about complete, and that includes quarterback Mason Rudolph. With the 2022 NFL Draft concluding just two weeks ago, the 2022 roster/depth chart, as it stands now, will likely remain the same once the season comes. Obviously, there is plenty of time between now and the official start of the NFL season for the Steelers to make any other additions to the roster, but the holes that were left on both sides of the football were addressed through the draft and free agency, leaving not too many position battles in question, except for quarterback.
The quarterback position will inevitably see an intense competition under center, where the Steelers themselves now have three viable options to begin the year as the team's official starting quarterback. Obviously, the organization drafted University of Pittsburgh Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett with their first overall selection with the idea that he would lead the quarterback competition once mini-camp started. Although he still faces the competition of Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky, that thought still will likely be the case as Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been vocal about the rookie getting his chance to earn the starting job as soon as camp begins.
Mason Rudolph included in "fierce" competition
In that same breath, Tomlin also addressed the Steelers quarterback competition as one that will be “fierce.” When addressing the competition, he named Rudolph, Trubisky and Pickett as the three players that will all get their fair share at securing the starting quarterback role and inevitably, Steeler Nation is led to believe that the organization is not leading one way or the other, and all three will genuinely get an equal opportunity. But do we really believe that to be the case?
I am genuinely convinced that there will be a competition for the quarterback position. This is the first time in 18 years that this organization will have to address this position and finding future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s predecessor has been number one on their priority list. I just do not believe that competition will be between all three guys. Just this past off-season, the Steelers have already invested $14.29 million in signing Trubisky to a two-year deal, then decided to spend a first round selection on a 23 year old, four-year starting quarterback at a university that is right in their backyard. In all honesty, these moves would indicate to any fanbase around the league that the organization was not comfortable with who they currently had behind center.
That particular player happens to be Rudolph, and while I am not saying that he certainly cannot shock the world and win the competition, I just don’t think he will even get a fair shot. Yes, Rudolph does have the second most NFL experience in the QB room (behind Trubisky), but his resume is not something that resonates well with many Steeler fans. His performances have not been awful, but we have yet to see anything great of the four-year veteran since he was thrusted into the starting role due to Roethlisberger's season ending injury back in 2019.
Yes, Rudolph does have a winning record as an NFL starter (5-4-1) and the organization had been vocal early this off-season about their support in starting Rudolph Week 1, but in my opinion, if that was really the case, why did they decide to spend so much time and capital into a position where their comfort level was high? Rudolph has played in 17 games, thrown for 2,366 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Although he does have the winning record to put on his resume, his statistics aren't anything that is going to grab your attention. Who knows, this upcoming competition could ultimately bring out the best side of the young quarterback, but the way I see it, especially with the type of game plan that offensive coordinator Matt Canada wants to execute, Rudolph has to beat out two guys to secure the starting role, not just one.
Do you think Mason Rudolph will have a shot to win the starting QB job? Comment below!
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