Mason Rudolph Addresses Pittsburgh QB Competition ahead of NFL Preseason Finale

Mason Rudolph didn’t take a snap during the Steelers’ 17-0 loss to the Jets last Friday, but he might have come out the biggest winner.

Rudolph has garnered praise from new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy throughout training camp. The veteran head coach came in only knowing of Rudolph from afar but quickly commented how impressed he was with the veteran.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am with Mason Rudolph…,” McCarthy said in early August. “He throws it better than I ever knew.”

Then Rudolph performed well in the Steelers’ preseason opener, splitting time with a pair of younger QBs competing to be Aaron Rodgers’ chief backup in Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. All three showed promise in that first outing, but Rudolph’s efficient stat line of 10-for-11 for 93 yards, plus his command for the offense, led McCarthy to park him next to Rodgers for the second preseason game to give the others more burn. Things didn’t go so well for the young guys.

Allar completed just 48% of his passes (11-for-23) and was sacked three times. Howard went 10-for-15 but threw two interceptions. The Steelers score zero points.

With four quarterbacks likely competing for three spots, Rudolph has been not the sexy pick to those outside the team, especially fans. He’s the steady veteran and fans love to glob onto exciting upside. It’s human nature. But regardless of fan pressure, coaches want someone who they can trust with the offense, especially with an aging QB like Rodgers.

Rudolph is no stranger to preseason depth chart shuffling or outside noise. He was asked about the QB pecking order during practice this week and expressed confidence in his play and implied confidence from Pittsburgh’s franchise QB.

“I think I have done a good job,” Rudolph said. “I have had a good camp. I like the way the offense is evolving and trending. I think Aaron [Rodgers] has had a lot of input, tailoring things to the way he likes it.”

#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

Rudolph is entering his sixth year in Pittsburgh, but he’s served behind two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and under two head coaching regimes, with a one-year hiatus in Tennessee.

To this point, Rudolph is pleased with the changes in Pittsburgh, something he alluded to earlier in training camp, when he called McCarthy’s system “QB-grooming.” He expanded on that this week, adding praise to first-year OC Brian Angelichio.

“Coach McCarthy has got a ton of great concepts,” Rudolph said. “He’s worked hard with the installation process. Coach [Brian] Angelichio is great in front of the unit. He really is. He’s a great teacher. I am happy.”

Rudolph’s been here before. In five years in Pittsburgh, he’s 8-5-1 having to fill in for the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Rodgers. For a team with a 42-year-old quarterback and postseason aspirations, the backup QB is one of the most important spots on the roster and it looks like Rudolph has done enough to lock down his spot.

The Steelers face the Buffalo Bills at 6 p.m. Thursday in their preseason finale.