Moving along with part 69 of our 90-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s dive into Steelers backup quarterback:

Mason Rudolph

Position: QB
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 235 lbs
College: Oklahoma State
Draft: Third round, 76th Overall in 2018

2019 stats

10 Games played
176 Completions
283 Attempts
1,765 Yards
13 Touchdowns
9 Interceptions

Contract remaining

Expires in 2022
$1,069,620 salary cap number (.6% of total cap)
$233,066 Dead money
$836,554 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Lock. Despite what you may think of Mason Rudolph, the organization has made it quite clear he is the team’s backup quarterback, and possibly the future of the franchise. He will not be going anywhere until at least the expiration of his rookie contract. In my opinion the only way Mason is going anywhere is if Ben Roethlisberger decides to extend his current contract and Rudolph gets an opportunity to start elsewhere sooner.

2020 projection

Ben Roethlisberger is undoubtedly the Steelers number one quarterback, even if his arm is only at 50% I just don’t see the Steelers ever benching him. What I can see happening however, is the Steelers being in a playoff position come Week 17 and they decide to rest Roethlisberger’s arm for the playoffs. I think Rudolph ends up starting the season finale and plays a solid 60 minutes, maybe even well enough for public perception to change for the better.

Projected stats:

1 Game played
21 Completions
30 Attempts
250 Yards
2 Touchdowns
0 Interceptions

Summary

I, myself am still on the fence about whether I think Mason Rudolph is the Steelers quarterback of the future. I think he has shown signs of being a solid game manager, and below average player. I think the biggest thing Rudolph needs to improve on is working the ball down the field to back up the opposing safeties. Time will tell about whether Rudolph is the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger. Rudolph just has to be ready to hit the field at any time.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson
Dewayne Hendrix
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel
Christian Kuntz
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart
Paxton Lynch
Dan McCullers
Vance McDonald
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Henry Mondeaux
Christian Montano
Alexander Myres
Steven Nelson
Spencer Nigh
Chuks Okorafor
James Pierre
Maurkice Pouncey
Kevin Rader
Dax Raymond
Ben Roethlisberger