Mason Rudolph Doesn’t Know What Steelers Will Do at QB—But He’s Confident He’s Done Enough

Mason Rudolph isn't pretending to know what the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to do.

Four quarterbacks. Likely three roster spots. One decision coming soon.

But as Rudolph prepares for Pittsburgh's preseason finale Thursday against Buffalo, the former Oklahoma State star seems pretty comfortable with the one thing he can control. His own performance.

“I think I have done a good job,” Rudolph said this week. “I have had a good camp.”

Looking at how Pittsburgh's quarterback competition has unfolded? It's difficult to disagree.

Pittsburgh's quarterback room is crowded. Aaron Rodgers is obviously the starter. Behind him are Rudolph and two younger quarterbacks, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.

That creates an interesting decision for new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. Howard and Allar provide youth and developmental upside. Rudolph provides something entirely different.

Experience. He's been through this before. He's played meaningful NFL football. And most importantly, Pittsburgh already knows it can win games with him.

Rudolph has gone 8-5-1 as a starter during his time with the Steelers, with a one-year stop in Tennessee separating his two stints in Pittsburgh.

His preseason performance certainly hasn't hurt. Rudolph completed 10 of 11 passes for 93 yards in Pittsburgh's opener and showed the command you'd expect from a veteran quarterback.

That performance apparently gave McCarthy enough confidence that Rudolph didn't even play in the Steelers' second preseason game.

Instead, Pittsburgh gave Howard and Allar extended opportunities. It didn't go particularly well.

Allar finished 11-of-23 and was sacked three times. Howard went 10-of-15 but threw two interceptions. Pittsburgh lost 17-0 to the Jets. Sometimes not playing might actually help your case.

Then there's what Pittsburgh's new head coach has said about Rudolph throughout camp.

McCarthy admitted earlier this month that he didn't know Rudolph's game particularly well before taking over the Steelers. That changed quickly.

“I can't tell you how pleased I am with Mason Rudolph,” McCarthy said, adding that Rudolph “throws it better than I ever knew.”

That's pretty significant praise from a coach who has spent much of his career working with quarterbacks. Rudolph has returned the compliments.

He's praised McCarthy's offensive concepts and first-year offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio's teaching while saying he's happy with how Pittsburgh's offense is developing.

That's where his comments this week come into play. Rudolph acknowledged that he doesn't know what Pittsburgh will ultimately decide with four quarterbacks currently on the roster.

And why would he? The Steelers have to balance what helps them right now against the long-term development of Howard and Allar.

Rudolph doesn't control that. What he does control is what he's shown the coaching staff. And he seems satisfied with it.

There's always going to be intrigue surrounding younger quarterbacks. Fans love upside.

They love wondering whether the next franchise quarterback is sitting somewhere on the depth chart waiting for an opportunity.

But Pittsburgh also has a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers starting for a team with postseason expectations.

Having a veteran backup you trust matters. Rudolph has already demonstrated that he can fill that role. He performed well in the preseason opener.

The younger quarterbacks struggled in Game 2. And McCarthy has repeatedly praised what Rudolph has shown throughout camp.

Rudolph might not know what the Steelers are going to do. But if this really is a competition for three spots? The former Oklahoma State star has given Pittsburgh plenty of reasons to keep him around.