USA TODAY Sports

PFF ranks the Steelers' quarterback room second to dead last with only one unproven rookie viewed as worse than Mason Rudolph

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated May 21, 2025 1:25 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the more unknown quarterback rooms in the NFL.

Headlined by Mason Rudolph with Skylar Thompson and Will Howard in the background, it's safe to say that defensive coordinators aren't exactly losing a lot of sleep over that room.

And according to PFF, they shouldn't be...

Mason Rudolph ranked 31/32 among NFL starting quarterbacks

After spending his first six seasons in Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph spent a year in Tennessee before returning on a two-year deal with the Steelers. With just 850 career dropbacks and only 22 big-time throws to his name, Rudolph is firmly established as a career backup. Given that the Steelers selected Will Howard in the sixth round, it’s likely we’ll see the rookie take the field before the season is over.

- John Kosko, PFF

The interesting comment there is that the Steelers would turn to Will Howard at some point in the season. Let me be clear. I am a huge Will Howard guy, the fact that he lasted to the sixth round, essentially falling into the Steelers' lap, was a steal for Pittsburgh.

But the only, and I mean only way he starts this year, is if both Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph get hurt. I mean, he has to beat out his former teammate Skylar Thompson for the quarterback #3 spot first.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers)

That's neither here nor there given the ranking of Rudolph, who only beat out New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who is going to be a 26-year-old rookie when Week 1 comes around.

Personally, that seems a little low for Rudolph, who led the Steelers back from what looked like their first losing season under Mike Tomlin in 2023, all the way to three straight wins and a playoff appearance.

Even still this list is incomplete until Aaron Rodgers retires or signs with the Steelers, something Rudolph himself is prepared for:

"I learned a long time ago that the financial compensation will tell you what’s going to go down in terms of the depth chart," Rudolph told Kaboly and Mack. "I get it. All I can do is keep having a good spring … and make the most of every rep. That’s what I’ve done my whole career. I am confident that I will be able to play well and win games when my name is called...

"...I assumed they were going to sign people and add to the roster because they always go to training camp with four quarterbacks. I knew that going in. I am going to respect the privacy of what (general manager) Omar (Khan) told me specifically. That’s for him to decide when, or whatever, they add a fourth.”