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Behind the Steel Curtain fantasy football takes on Mason Rudolph
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Behind the Steel Curtain about Mason Rudolph.
21
Insights
5
Positive
7
Negative
Insight ledger
All Behind the Steel Curtain insights about Mason Rudolph
PositiveRoleAug 23, 2026
The source states that Mason Rudolph, despite not even playing, took a clear lead in the QB2 battle after Will Howard's poor performance against the Jets. This positions Rudolph as the likely backup heading into the regular season.PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Will Howard's poor Week 2 preseason performance—two interceptions and poor pocket awareness—solidified Mason Rudolph as the backup quarterback to Aaron Rodgers. The source notes that had Howard built on a solid Week 1 and led scoring drives, there would have been a real question about keeping all four quarterbacks or trading Rudolph; instead, Howard's struggles made the quarterback decision very easy for Mike McCarthy and the offensive staff.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Backup QB will be benched in Week 2 of preseason as Mike McCarthy prioritizes evaluation of rookies Will Howard and Drew Allar; Rudolph's future with the Steelers is uncertain, with the source noting Miami as a potential trade partner and questioning whether strong rookie performances could land Rudolph on the trade block; Rudolph himself admitted jealousy of the development program in place for the rookies.PositiveValueAug 20, 2026
Rudolph is a trade target for the Miami Dolphins after a strong Week 1 preseason showing against Green Bay; his 19 career starts provide significantly more experience than Miami's current QB depth (Willis and Ewers combined have nine starts), making him a valuable backup option if shipped to Miami where his playing time would dramatically increase.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Mason Rudolph is competing with Will Howard for the backup quarterback role behind Aaron Rodgers. The source argues that Rudolph, after seven years in the league including a stint elsewhere, is unlikely to be a future starter and won't show the Steelers anything they don't already know. Rudolph's inactive status for the Jets game is interpreted as the Steelers favoring Howard's development, and the source suggests Rudolph has little to gain from additional preseason reps at this stage of his career.NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026
Rudolph expressed jealousy of the QB-grooming system and structure that Drew Allar and Will Howard have under Mike McCarthy, contrasting it with the lack of organizational structure he experienced earlier in his career. Rudolph acknowledged the fanbase's desire for a franchise QB and that the young QBs have advantages he lacked.NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026
Rudolph's roster spot appears guaranteed after Mike McCarthy gave him the week off in Week 2 preseason, signaling confidence in his backup role. McCarthy praised Rudolph during training camp, and Rudolph went 10-of-11 in the preseason opener, leading many to conclude his spot is secure.NegativeRoleAug 19, 2026
Mason Rudolph posted a strong 10-of-11 for 93 yards against Green Bay, but Mike McCarthy has apparently seen all he needs to see from the veteran backup; Rudolph will be given the night off vs. Jets in Week 2 preseason, losing playing time to younger quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar as the Steelers prioritize development of their young signal-caller duo.NegativeProjectionAug 14, 2026
The veteran QB2 was ruthlessly efficient in his preseason outing, going 10/11 for 93 yards to start. His best play was his lone incompletion, where he channeled his inner Ben Roethlisberger to heave what would've been a touchdown pass if rookie receiver Germie Bernard had been able to get a second foot cleanly in-bounds. Outside of that play, it wasn't a spectacular performance, but Rudolph looked like a quarterback who's been-there, done-that — an attractive trait for a prospective Aaron Rodgers backup.PositiveProjectionAug 14, 2026
Mason Rudolph opened the preseason with a strong performance, finishing 10-of-11 for 95 yards on a 16-play, 84-yard drive featuring completions of 13, 19, and 25 yards. Though a drive stalled at the goal line due to a Troy Fautanu holding penalty and an incomplete pass to Bernard, Rudolph's efficient night gave him a strong start to the exhibition slate.NegativeRoleAug 12, 2026
31-year-old veteran Mason Rudolph is competing with Will Howard for the backup quarterback position. Neither Rudolph nor Howard has separated himself thus far in camp, and the preseason opener could determine who emerges as the clear backup QB leader.NegativeRoleAug 6, 2026
Quarterback threw a deep ball to DK Metcalf that was broken up by Jaquan Brisker during 11-on-11 team period.NegativeDepth ChartAug 6, 2026
Mason Rudolph is listed as the second-string quarterback on the Steelers' first depth chart, behind Aaron Rodgers and ahead of Will Howard and Drew Allar.NegativeDepth ChartAug 5, 2026
Mason Rudolph is listed in the QB2 spot on the Steelers' first depth chart of training camp, ahead of Will Howard (QB3) and Drew Allar (QB4) in the backup quarterback battle.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph has not had a standout performance through two practices compared to Will Howard and Drew Allar, who have made big-time throws over the middle and down the field. While Rudolph has not done anything particularly bad, he has not had a 'wow' throw. He had what would have been a big play down the field to Pat Freiermuth batted down by Asante Samuel Jr. In the backup QB battle, it appears to be 'backup or bust' for Rudolph, as Howard was rewarded with the second two-minute drill rep while Rudolph could only watch. Howard was clearly favored on this day.NegativeDepth ChartJul 28, 2026
Mason Rudolph will take QB2 reps over Will Howard and Drew Allar in the Steelers' backup quarterback competition during training camp.PositiveDepth ChartJul 28, 2026
Elevated to second-team QB reps at Steelers training camp, ahead of Will Howard and Drew Allar who are taking third-team reps. Head coach Mike McCarthy made this depth chart decision official at the start of camp, marking a shift from OTAs where Howard held the QB2 role.NegativeDepth ChartJul 26, 2026
Mason Rudolph is competing with second-year QB Will Howard for the backup job behind Aaron Rodgers. Rudolph played a key role in Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over Cincinnati and started one game in relief of an injured Rodgers. However, two Steelers insiders believe Howard has the inside track. Rudolph is entering the final year of his deal with the Steelers and will be a free agent in 2027.NegativeDepth ChartJul 25, 2026
Ben Roethlisberger has suggested Mason Rudolph should be released, indicating potential roster moves at the backup quarterback position heading into the 2026 season.NegativeRoleJul 23, 2026
Rudolph has the upper hand headed into training camp in the backup quarterback battle against Will Howard as he actually has NFL experience — 19 starts, to be exact — compared to Howard's zero career NFL snaps; however, Howard is still in the first half of a dirt-cheap rookie deal and technically has more upside than Rudolph simply by nature of being a complete NFL unknown.NegativeDepth ChartJul 22, 2026
Competing with Will Howard for the final backup QB roster spot; Ben Roethlisberger publicly recommended the Steelers release Rudolph, stating 'I think [cutting Rudolph] the smarter move' because the team should prioritize developing young quarterbacks with five-to-ten-year potential. Rudolph started one game in 2025 against the Chicago Bears (a loss) and came in relief against Cincinnati the previous week when Aaron Rodgers was injured.