Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have four quarterbacks and probably only three spots for them once this upcoming season gets underway. Mason Rudolph, a former third-round draft pick, might be the odd man out, with Will Howard and Drew Allar also vying to stay around behind Aaron Rodgers.
“Rudolph has spent most of the past eight seasons serving as Pittsburgh’s primary backup and occasional starter,” Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay wrote on Tuesday. “After a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, he returned to the Steelers and immediately slotted in behind Rodgers. The circumstances around Rudolph have changed drastically, however, and could lead to a depth chart shakeup.
“With longtime head coach Mike Tomlin no longer in charge, new head coach Mike McCarthy may prefer to use the backup roles to develop his younger quarterbacks. Sixth-round pick Will Howard and rookie third-rounder Drew Allar both offer long-term upside that Rudolph, who turns 31 in July, no longer provides.”
Rudolph has started 14 games for the Steelers, including last season’s road loss to the Chicago Bears after Aaron Rodgers suffered a wrist injury. Rudolph has gone 8-5-1 operating Pittsburgh’s offense, but Kay believes he might fit better elsewhere in the AFC.
“If no trade materializes, Rudolph might find himself released before Week 1,” Kay said. “Should that happen, the Denver Broncos would be a logical landing spot. The Broncos need an upgrade to Jarrett Stidham in wake of last year’s AFC Championship Game calamity, and Rudolph fits the bill as the ideal QB2 behind Bo Nix.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Analyst: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph Better Suited with AFC Foe
