Things to know about Mason Rudolph, the new Steelers QB
Ben Roethlisberger is out for the year with an elbow injury. That means Mason Rudolph is now the Steelers’ starter.
In case you haven’t been following his career, here are five important things to know about the now-former backup.
1. He starred at Oklahoma State — In three full years as a starter, he piled up 13,618 yards and 92 touchdowns against 26 interceptions. His Cowboys won at least 10 games in each of those years, and in 2015, they appeared in the Sugar Bowl after ranking as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press poll. Few offenses were as potent as his in those years.
2. Scouts liked him in the draft process — He was not the darling of the 2018 draft. Those honors belonged to Oklahoma rival Baker Mayfield, who went No. 1 overall to the Browns. Still, he got positive reviews in the weeks leading up to his selection by the Steelers in the third round. NFL analyst Lance Zierleain offered this assessment.
“Pocket quarterback with good size who has shown consistent improvement as a passer. Rudolph is more of a downfield, play-action passer than a quarterback who can win with precision and arm strength. He's a capable field reader who has the ability to operate with timing which will be important since his arm can be dull at times. Rudolph could be an early backup with the potential of becoming an average to below average starter in the league.”
3. His first season was a learning experience — Many hoped Rudolph would take over the backup role last year, but he lost a preseason competition with Josh Dobbs and didn’t appear in any regular-season game action. Nor did he get many snaps with first-teamers in practice. He used that time to “dive” into the playbook and arrived at training camp this year hoping to compete for the backup job again.
4. His preseason impressed — That work paid off. Rudolph looked much better this spring and summer, and felt it, too. He told reporters in August that he felt “10 times better” than he did when he joined the team a year ago.
“I’m having much more fun,” Rudolph said. “It’s coming so much more naturally. The game has slowed down. I’m just ready to play. I’m ready to play someone in another uniform. Go out there have fun and let it rip.”
He was rewarded with the backup job after completing 65% of his passes, throwing for 368 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception during the preseason. Dobbs has since been traded to Jacksonville for a draft pick.
5. His debut went well — Rudolph replaced Roethlisberger in the third quarter of the 28-26 loss to Seattle at Heinz Field and he looked ready to step in. After throwing an interception on his first drive, he came back to throw two touchdowns and pass for 112 yards. His passer rating was a solid 92.4 and would have been even better if not for the pick that wasn’t really his fault — receiver Donte Moncrief tipped the ball high in the air before it was intercepted.
Had he started the game we would have beaten Seattle. We'll see what he can do in Saf Francisco. Dude can play. We just have to see much more of it
Ben Roethlisberger is out for the year with an elbow injury. That means Mason Rudolph is now the Steelers’ starter.
In case you haven’t been following his career, here are five important things to know about the now-former backup.
1. He starred at Oklahoma State — In three full years as a starter, he piled up 13,618 yards and 92 touchdowns against 26 interceptions. His Cowboys won at least 10 games in each of those years, and in 2015, they appeared in the Sugar Bowl after ranking as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press poll. Few offenses were as potent as his in those years.
2. Scouts liked him in the draft process — He was not the darling of the 2018 draft. Those honors belonged to Oklahoma rival Baker Mayfield, who went No. 1 overall to the Browns. Still, he got positive reviews in the weeks leading up to his selection by the Steelers in the third round. NFL analyst Lance Zierleain offered this assessment.
“Pocket quarterback with good size who has shown consistent improvement as a passer. Rudolph is more of a downfield, play-action passer than a quarterback who can win with precision and arm strength. He's a capable field reader who has the ability to operate with timing which will be important since his arm can be dull at times. Rudolph could be an early backup with the potential of becoming an average to below average starter in the league.”
3. His first season was a learning experience — Many hoped Rudolph would take over the backup role last year, but he lost a preseason competition with Josh Dobbs and didn’t appear in any regular-season game action. Nor did he get many snaps with first-teamers in practice. He used that time to “dive” into the playbook and arrived at training camp this year hoping to compete for the backup job again.
4. His preseason impressed — That work paid off. Rudolph looked much better this spring and summer, and felt it, too. He told reporters in August that he felt “10 times better” than he did when he joined the team a year ago.
“I’m having much more fun,” Rudolph said. “It’s coming so much more naturally. The game has slowed down. I’m just ready to play. I’m ready to play someone in another uniform. Go out there have fun and let it rip.”
He was rewarded with the backup job after completing 65% of his passes, throwing for 368 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception during the preseason. Dobbs has since been traded to Jacksonville for a draft pick.
5. His debut went well — Rudolph replaced Roethlisberger in the third quarter of the 28-26 loss to Seattle at Heinz Field and he looked ready to step in. After throwing an interception on his first drive, he came back to throw two touchdowns and pass for 112 yards. His passer rating was a solid 92.4 and would have been even better if not for the pick that wasn’t really his fault — receiver Donte Moncrief tipped the ball high in the air before it was intercepted.
Had he started the game we would have beaten Seattle. We'll see what he can do in Saf Francisco. Dude can play. We just have to see much more of it
