Steelers' Mason Rudolph Is Strengthening His Hold on Backup QB Job at Camp

It may still be early in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, but one position battle has caught some by surprise. Many expected rookie Will Howard to get the first opportunity to claim the backup quarterback job. Instead, that chance went to Mason Rudolph, who has continued to build on his early momentum.

While the competition is still in its early stages, Rudolph has already shown why Howard was a sixth-round pick rather than an immediate challenger for the starting role. Rudolph hasn't been perfect by any means. There's a reason he never became the long-term answer in Pittsburgh. Still, he became a folk hero, and he's continuing to show why he remains an invaluable presence for the Steelers.

Rudolph proving his worth as a backup quarterback

Many quarterbacks enter the NFL expecting to become starters. Most never carve out that role, and many don't last long in the league. Rudolph was on the verge of that reality just four years ago. Following Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, the Steelers added and drafted multiple quarterbacks, pushing Rudolph down the depth chart and making him an afterthought. Until they needed him most.

Rudolph, of course, helped save the Steelers' 2023 season by winning the team's final three regular-season games. He proved he could step in and steady the offense when called upon. Although his lone start last season wasn't his best performance, he still kept the Steelers competitive. Now, he's showing why Pittsburgh was so determined to bring him back. Rudolph has opened training camp with a strong showing in what many viewed as one of the team's most intriguing position battles.

That said, there's still plenty of time for the competition to shift.

Still time for his competition to catch up

Howard hasn't taken a live NFL snap outside of practices, OTAs, and training camp, so some of the lofty expectations some placed on him were unrealistic. Regardless, he now finds himself playing catch-up. There's still ample time for Howard to make his case, but it likely won't become clear until the preseason begins. The Aug. 13 preseason opener should provide his first true opportunity to challenge Rudolph for the backup job.

Make no mistake, Howard has upside. He brings championship pedigree and intriguing long-term potential. Right now, though, those traits, and the excitement of the unknown, are what fuel optimism about his future. Rudolph, meanwhile, is a known commodity: a reliable, steady backup quarterback. Howard may ultimately prove capable of more, but he'll have to show it on the field beginning Aug. 13. Otherwise, there will be legitimate conversations about whether Drew Allar should receive snaps ahead of him in the future.

It's still early in training camp, but Rudolph is reminding everyone why the Steelers value him as one of the league's more dependable backup quarterbacks. Unless Howard truly wows the coaching staff, Rudolph appears firmly in control of the backup job.