Mason Rudolph has been patient about his opportunity to win the Steelers starting quarterback job, but it appears he’s now tired of waiting in the wings.
The Steelers have been Ben Roethlisberger’s team since he was drafted in 2004, but he’s now 39 years old, and his best years are clearly behind him. Injuries have taken a toll on his play, as has Father Time.
Rudolph, on the other hand, looked good stepping up in Roethlisberger’s absence last season. He’s entering his third year in the league, and that’s when many quarterbacks make their biggest leap. The Steelers are coming off an embarrassing first-round playoff exit to the division rival Browns, and it’s possible that a change at signal-caller could be in the team’s best interest. And if that does happen, Rudolph will be ready, should he be called upon.
“That’s my goal, to be a starting quarterback in this league and for our team, and I’m working toward that goal every single day,” Rudolph said, via ESPN.com. “I can only control myself and the way I prepare and the way I approach and play in OTAs and camp, and that’s on the forefront of my mind.”
Roethlisberger seems to believe that as long as he’s on the depth chart, he’ll be listed as QB1, but we’re not sure that’ll be the case this season. His lack of mobility and slow decision making really hindered the team’s performance in 2020.
