Mason Rudolph, Josh Dobbs Competing for Steelers’ QB3 Spot

While Oklahoma State gets its season started against Missouri State on Thursday night, Mason Rudolph will be putting the final touches on his preseason tape as the Steelers welcome the Carolina Panthers for their final exhibition game.

Second-year quarterback Josh Dobbs will get the start and Rudolph will be his backup. Two QBs will enter that game and (potentially) only one will leave. Just two days later on September 1, the Steelers will trim their roster down to 53, which may only include three quarterbacks.

Week 3 is considered to be a preseason preview of the regular season depth chart and it included Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones and Rudolph in that order. Dobbs was the odd man out and, barring any miraculous outing or injury, will probably also be the odd man out in Pittsburgh.

It’s been posited by some in the Pittsburgh media that Dobbs, if he’s slotted as QB4, could either be released or held as trade bait going into the season. Nonetheless, Rudolph has an apparent edge to be QB3.

Rudolph has had his ups and downs in the preseason — including a pick-6 on the first throw of his start in Week 2 — but has maintained his poise and turned in a clean 7-for-11, 65-yard second half last week against the Titans.

“It’s an ongoing process,” said Rudolph. “Just being more comfortable under center after not doing it the last eight years. That is something I have been pleased with my progression there.”

Rudolph also says he’s adjusted to the speed of the game both during preseason outings and in practice.

“Whenever you get the ones in practice, you can feel the speed jump up,” said Rudolph. “I think everyone has been playing at a high level. Through all three groups, everyone has been performing well. The speed, you saw it in the spring, in OTAs, now you see it in the games. It slows down in the games. You are not playing against the guys you see 16, 17 weeks in a row. It’s refreshing to get out there with new faces, guys who are nervous too. They don’t want to screw up. It slows down on game day.”

With the Steelers’ final game before the real lights come on, it will be up to Rudolph and Dobbs to show what they have one last time. Dobbs isn’t ready to concede the race and just focuses on handling his business.

“You just control what you can control,” said Dobbs. “When you get the opportunity, go out and make the most of them and play good football.”

Rudolph, on the other hand, is already focused on the upcoming regular season and what it will bring.

“I am looking forward to the season, even though the reps will be cut down pretty substantially soon, but you have to take advantage of mental reps, all of the virtual reps, and even when you aren’t playing stay engaged,” said Rudolph.

Rudolph is considered a possible QB of the future by Steelers fans and brass alike. It’s more likely that Dobbs, who has played well this preseason (probably better than Rudolph), is getting his final sendoff from the Steelers and a chance to showcase his talents for whichever team might stake a waiver claim on him in September.