Steelers Now
Sports Illustrated painted a harsh reality regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation, ranking them 26th in the league in terms of backup quarterbacks. But the real concern? The quarterback they ranked that low is currently slated as the team’s QB1.
Like many outlets, Sports Illustrated made its rankings under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers would be under center for the Steelers by Week 1. While that’s still considered a strong possibility, the fact that the team is now into its second week of OTAs with no official signing raises some legitimate questions.
Despite public skepticism, head coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear the organization would be comfortable with Mason Rudolph as the starter in Week 1 if needed. Still, the Steelers had multiple opportunities to pursue other quarterback options this offseason. They allowed both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to walk in free agency and waited until the sixth round to draft a quarterback in Will Howard. That approach signaled a clear lack of urgency in addressing the position long term.
Even if Rodgers does eventually join the team, he is 41 years old, meaning he is still just a temporary solution for a lingering issue that has persisted since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement in 2021. While Rodgers and the Steelers have seemed to have both expressed optimism toward union, the longer this situation drags on, the more plausible it becomes that Rudolph could be under center when the season begins.
Rudolph, a career backup to this point, has had a few moments of brilliance, most notably late in the 2023 season when he helped guide the Steelers to key wins and a playoff berth. But those flashes haven’t yet erased long-term doubts about his viability as a full-time starter.
With mandatory minicamp less than a week away and training camp looming next month, the Rodgers saga is nearing a conclusion. One way or another, the Steelers will soon have clarity on whether they’ll be riding into 2025 with a future Hall of Famer or rolling the dice with a quarterback many still view as a backup.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers QB Mason Rudolph Ranked As One of Worst Backups in NFL
