Mason Rudolph Isn't Changing for Steelers QB Battle

Is Rudolph Going to Remain QB2 for Steelers?

The longstanding assumption this offseason has been that Howard would come out on top in the race for the No. 2 quarterback job while Allar handles the No. 3 duties at the position as a rookie.

As such, Rudolph was viewed as either a trade or cut candidate who would find himself as the odd man out amidst somewhat of a youth movement behind Aaron Rodgers in Mike McCarthy's first year as Pittsburgh's head coach.

With Rudolph handling the backup role to open training camp, however, which includes taking the first-team reps Rodgers isn't to open camp, it's hard not to view him as the leader over Howard.

Could that change within a matter of weeks? Undoubtedly. The Steelers simply have more of a vested interest in holding onto Howard for as long as they can to accurately dictate whether or not he's a long-term piece, whether that's as a backup or potentially even a starter down the line.

The organization sent a strongly-worded message by placing him behind a reliable, proven veteran in Rudolph, perhaps with an intention of lighting a fire under the second-year signal caller and handing him some extra motivation to go above and beyond over the next month or so before final roster cuts.

Because Howard hasn't taken a single snap in either the preseason or regular season, however, with the same being true for Allar, it's possible that McCarthy and his staff will value having a high-floor option with real NFL experience in Rudolph should Rodgers miss any time this year.

It won't necessarily be easy for Howard to surpass Rudolph either because of how steady the latter is, even if he doesn't have much of a ceiling, creating even more suspense as to who will ultimately take home the backup job.