Mason Rudolph Should Not Be in Steelers’ Future QB Plans

The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced “Quarterback Purgatory” since their 18-year franchise gunslinger Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season.

After appearances by Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, and the remnants of Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers fanbase is tired.

Despite all this, a familiar face has been present, even since before Big Ben rode into the sunset.

Mason Rudolph, a third-round pick from the monstrous 2018 draft that featured Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Super Bowl champ Sam Darnold, was selected as the heir to Ben’s throne. That did not happen.

Rudolph’s Pittsburgh career has been polarizing. His 2019 season after replacing an injured Big Ben was chaotic. Buried in the depth chart after that, he rose to the occasion at the end of the 2023 season and won three consecutive games. After hitting rock bottom as a bad Tennessee Titans starter in 2024, he returned to Pittsburgh the next season.

Now, with Rodgers announcing the 2026-2027 season as his last, the Steelers will seek once again a new starter for next season. At the same time, it would seem like another opportunity for Mason Rudolph to grab another starting role, but that could not be further from the truth.

Rudolph is not a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. In both seasons he started eight or more games (2019 PIT, 2024 TEN), Rudolph threw for fewer than 2,000 yards and tossed nine interceptions. Even in 2023, Rudolph only scored against the Cincinnati Bengals and only completed 55 passes. Last season, Rudolph played a game and a half, but neither showing was impressive.

Mason Rudolph provides no future value for the Steelers, and this year, if needed, would keep Pittsburgh in the quarterback purgatory it desperately wants to escape.

Mike McCarthy announced on August 19th that neither Rodgers nor Rudolph would play against the New York Jets on the 21st. Instead, Will Howard will start the game, and Drew Allar will jump in for the second half.

When asked about the decision, McCarthy said he “saw what he needed to see” from Rudolph, adding that he wants to “max out the opportunities for both Will and Drew”.

This could mean that Rudolph showed good enough plays in his limited snap count against the Packers to cement himself as the Steelers’ backup. It could also mean he didn’t impress enough and the younger guys could jump him in the depth chart with more snaps.

Mason avoided the sack but Germ could not get both feet down #Steelerspic.twitter.com/YutOBmDEDs

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 13, 2026

McCarthy and the Steelers coaching staff have raved about Rudolph all offseason. They seem comfortable depending on him if necessary. Three weeks at the end of the season, though, is different than if Rodgers goes down early. Fans know who Rudolph is as a long-term starter: at best, a slightly above-average quarterback.

If Rudolph needs to play, it is better to throw the younger guys into the fire. The best-case scenario is that one of them exceeds expectations and becomes the team’s franchise quarterback. If both Howard and Allar falter, it could lead to more losses and a higher draft pick. This can help the Steelers draft a top quarterback prospect next year.

Rudolph throws a wrench into the team’s development plans and their chances at a higher draft selection. Taking quality practice reps from Howard and Allar prevents McCarthy from truly examining them. While the team’s floor is higher with Rudolph at the helm, their ceiling is very short.

If Rodgers is hurt or unplayable, Allar or Howard are at least exciting unknown commodities. Rudolph is not, and his play could keep the team in mediocrity.

Pittsburgh has a few options.

Trading Rudolph would get you the most value while also clearing a spot for both Allar and Howard. Cutting him outright is direct, but if there is a market for him as a free agent, the team needs to capitalize. Keeping four QBs would leave another player that could contribute in other areas off the roster.

It is not as if Rudolph deserves to be run out of town. He has handled adversity well throughout his career and never shied away from competition, especially during the Kenny Pickett era, when he became a last-minute savior.

On Wednesday, Rudolph referred to both Howard and Allar as “great QBs who are young and progressing” and said he was “jealous of the structure they have had” under Mike McCarthy, according to Tim Benz with Tribune-Review Sports.

#Steelers QB Mason Rudolph said he doesn't have any idea what's going to happen with the four QBs on the roster, but he feels confident in what he's shown. pic.twitter.com/Urn7giX5RI

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 24, 2026

Despite this, Rudolph should be the odd man out. He is not better than Rodgers and has way less upside than Howard and Allar. Those two should be the sole focus so that they can compete for next year’s starting role.

A competition that is already underway.

The Steelers have been candid about finding their solution at quarterback, but they have also not been in the right position to take a home-run swing, with most of their first-round draft picks since 2016 coming at No. 20 or later. Now that a known quarterback guru in Mike McCarthy coaches the team, the odds of finding or developing a franchise guy have drastically increased.

Friday night’s Jets game featured an efficient night overshadowed by two bad turnovers. Meanwhile, Allar continued showing off his arm talent despite missing more than half of his throws (albeit with a worse supporting cast on the field).

This was a worse night for both Howard and Allar, especially after positive performances in the previous game against the Green Bay Packers. It brings Howard’s totals to 17/24 completions for 160 yards and two picks. Allar is at 21/36, 264 yards, and three total scores.

The numbers highlight these players’ strengths and weaknesses at this point in their careers. Howard has better mechanics and efficiency, but less explosiveness. Allar has amazing arm talent, but the mechanics and accuracy need some polishing. Neither was a top prospect entering the draft, but McCarthy could fix some of their issues and raise their potential in the league.

Unfortunately for them, though (and fortunately for Rudolph), both looked like rookies.

Howard’s interceptions came at inopportune times. He led the team into scoring position twice, but two head-scratching throws to Roman Wilson wound up in a defender’s hands. Off of Howard, the Jets recorded more picks than they did all of the 2025 campaign (zero).

The first pick was the worst of the pair, as Howard never saw Jets safety Andre Cisco as he sprinted into Wilson’s route and made the catch. Howard made it easy for the five-year veteran Cisco to figure out his read, as Howard’s eyes were glued in the direction of Wilson’s crosser route. This makes it even more baffling how Howard didn’t see Cisco in that area.

All-22 of Will Howard's INT. #Steelers

(via @KDKA) pic.twitter.com/0HXuIGM0sB

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 21, 2026

It was not all bad for Howard. He made a few impressive throws in which he remained composed and moved well in the pocket. Potentially his best throw came when he tossed the ball over the linebacker into the top of Robert Tonyan‘s catch radius while the corner was draped over him. Even if this drive would end with the second pick of the night, it showed that Howard was not afraid of making mistakes.

Beautiful touch throw from Howard on the crosser to Robert Tonyan. Happy to see Mike McCarthy letting Howard sling it and being aggressive after the INT. Let’s see if Howard can bounce back and finish this drive with points before the half. pic.twitter.com/qpvR9vNLjV

— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFootball) August 22, 2026

This is certainly a learning experience for Howard, who in the post-game presser declared that he has to come out of a game with a “growth mindset”. A very positive mindset to have as a young quarterback, especially one that did not shy away from pushing the ball downfield.

“That’s really the biggest thing. It’s just getting to the film and not letting these mistakes fester,” added Howard later on.

Allar looked slightly better in a more chaotic situation. The second-half offensive line completely collapsed and gave Allar very little time to throw. Despite this, Allar showed some escapability and under-duress throws, including his best throw of the night: a 38-yard bomb to tight end Lake McCree that set up the Steelers in red zone territory.

THATS OUR ROOKIE QB#steelerspic.twitter.com/lgdrmR8Jja

— Steelers Lead (@SteelersLead) August 22, 2026

Another positive aspect of Allar’s performance came during the two-minute drill towards the end of the game. Even if the game was lost, Allar impressed with middle-of-the-field throws that the receivers dropped. He even had a pure arm throw with great placement deep to the sideline for Isaiah Winstead to convert the third down.

My fave throw of the night from Drew Allar. Just pure arm talent. #Steelers#HereWeGopic.twitter.com/sKukodTlrd

— Jeremy Betz (@thebetz93) August 22, 2026

Allar was not perfect, though. He missed a few throws that someone with his arm talent should make consistently. Taking sacks in pivotal moments also needs improvement, as Allar got sacked on third down for a 9-yd loss in the red zone. The ensuing kick missed wide left, and kicker Laith Marjan was cut later on Sunday.

Mason Rudolph kept his job as the Steelers’ backup quarterback after Friday’s game without lifting a finger. Both Howard and Allar’s youth-based flaws may have knocked them out of the race this season. Howard, especially, now runs a higher risk of becoming a camp casualty once the team cuts down to the 53-man threshold.

For the future of the franchise, however, choosing between Drew Allar and Will Howard right now would be a mistake. Even if they are not good enough to win consistently and back up Aaron Rodgers, it would at least place you in a good draft spot. Mason Rudolph squanders that safety net entirely.

Rudolph might enjoy the present as QB2, but the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday could turn the tide. The game gives both Allar and Howard plenty more chances, and it seems Rudolph will once again sit.

Standout performances from the young QBs could once again send Rudolph out of Pittsburgh, or one poor showing may cement his backup status.

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