Mason Rudolph on Steelers QB1 competition: 'I want to be the guy'

The Steelers starting quarterback spot is as open as it’s ever been for Mason Rudolph. With longtime Pittsburgh starter Ben Roethlisberger set to retire, Rudolph is the next guy on the depth chart.

But the Steelers can and likely will make some additions to their quarterbacks room before next season. Asked how he sees that competition shaping up, Rudolph gave an honest answer.

“I have no idea,” he said. “I think you have about just as good of an idea about who will be in the room as I do. Those decisions are made way above my paygrade. I’m just gonna try to control what I can control and prepare myself. But it is encouraging to know I’ve got as good a chance as any this year, as opposed to the last four years having zero chance. So that’s gonna motivate me to put my best foot forward.”

The Steelers lost 42-21 on Sunday to Kansas City in the wild card round of the playoffs, likely the final game of Roethlisberger’s career.

It’s true this offseason will be unlike any other for Rudolph, whom the Steelers selected in the third round in 2018. Although he has never begun the year as a starter, he has received several opportunities in his early career.

Rudolph started eight games in the 2019 season when Roethlisberger was injured, finishing with a 5-3 record. He threw for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions that year. Most recently, Rudolph started in a game against Detroit this past season that ended in a 16-16 tie.

The Oklahoma State product acknowledged that there are many ways for Pittsburgh to find Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement. However, he also sees himself capable of filling the veteran’s shoes in 2022.

“I’m a competitive person and I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself,” Rudolph said. “I think that I can be the guy next year. That’s my plan. I want to be the guy. But there’s too many question marks right now. I’m not going to begin to try to make a forecast on who’s gonna be in the room. This is the NFL. Things are ever-changing. My job is to be in contact with the coaches and look forward to when we get to come back here. …But who knows. There’s a million scenarios. Drafting somebody. Free agency. I have no idea.

“But I know that I’m gonna compete.”