Mason Rudolph wants to become starting QB for Steelers

Two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger restructured his contract in March to remain starting quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers for at least one more season right around the time he celebrated his 39th birthday. Roethlisberger recently told reporters he approaches every NFL year "like it's my last," but a plethora of observers and analysts believe he's heading into his final season with Pittsburgh and as an active player. 

Enter Mason Rudolph, who is currently QB2 on the depth chart behind the future Hall of Famer and signed through next season thanks to a one-year contract extension agreed to in April. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Rudolph told reporters Tuesday he is "not worried" about 2022 but admitted he wants to be the man who replaces Big Ben when the time comes.

"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. "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." 

Former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins and backup Josh Dobbs are also in Pittsburgh's QB room ahead of summer, but the Steelers may go big-game hunting next March if Roethlisberger retires during the winter months and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers returns to the Green Bay Packers for the 2021 campaign but then works with the team on a trade that's completed next offseason.