Will Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins be the Steelers starting QB?
By: Jake Rajala
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 offseason is officially underway. The last chapter for the legendary two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh has been closed. All signs point towards Big Ben retiring and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has even stated that he’s acting with the assumption that his long-time starting QB is retired. Furthermore, Tomlin expressed that he was “excited” about the challenge of finding the Steelers next franchise QB.
The most likely road for the Steelers starting QB does appear to lie with the competition between the QBs in the building. The young Mason Rudolph, who is under contract for another season, will have an opportunity to push for the starting gig. Former Ohio State Buckeye Dwayne Haskins and “current draft bust” is bound to be a restricted free agent in 2022, but the 24-year-old holds an opportunity to compete for the starting QB position. It basically appears obvious that both QBs will be in the facility chomping at the bit when training camp arrives, as Tomlin stated that the two QBs have earned an opportunity to fight for the starting QB from a professional and work standpoint.
The Steelers could also look at QB prospects like Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Jameis Winston, Jacoby Brissett, and Andy Dalton in free agency. It would also make a lot of sense if the Steelers pursued QBs like Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett in the 2022 draft, too.
As it stands, the two young bucks in Rudolph and Haskins are laser-focused on receiving the keys to the Steelers hot-rod offense. The most likely starting Steelers QB in training camp appears to be Mason Rudolph, but Dwayne Haskins surely won’t go down without a fight. With that said, which QB is more destined to be the next franchise QB? Well, let’s go under the microscope and unveil the tale of each QB.
Mason Rudolph
The former Oklahoma State University QB finished seventh in Heisman voting as a senior in college. It was quite an impressive senior season for Rudolph, as he notched 28 passing touchdowns to 4 interceptions. He also won the “Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award” in his last playing season. Rudolph of course earned himself an early phone call in the 2019 NFL draft, as he was picked in the 3rd round to be the potential heir to Big Ben. The QBs selected ahead of Rudolph in the 2018 draft were Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Lamar Jackson (all in the first round).
As of the end of the 2021 regular season, The 2018 third-round pick Mason Rudolph has spent three seasons as the backup QB to Big Ben. It didn’t take long for the former Oklahoma State QB to see the field because he played in 10 games in 2019 (rookie year). In those 10 starts, Rudolph unveiled 1,765 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and an 82.0 passer rating. Rudolph wasn’t a bobblehead QB or pedestrian for the performance like many rookie QBs. Nonetheless, the Steelers will demand more excellence than his overall production from his outing in 2019. Big Ben has never had a QB rating from a 15+ game season below 82.
It is worth noting that rookie QBs still have ousted similar regular season QB ratings as Rudolph’s 2019 rookie outing. Trevor Lawrence, who was taken first overall in the 2021 NFL draft, registered a 71.9 passer rating from the 2021-2022 season. The New York Jets rook QB in 2021 Zach Wilson showcased a 69.7 passer rating in his rookie campaign. Not only was Rudolph’s slightly below-average production not uncommon for rookie signal-callers, but Rudolph should be leaps ahead of his 2019 version. He has been able to sit behind Big Ben and grow for numerous seasons since 2019.
Rudolph may not have been putting up “Madden-like” numbers or unleashing highlight throws to the corner of the end zone, but he showed a real knack for winning. Rudolph put together a three-game winning streak in 2019. His winning streak would of course end in the same game where he had the most unusual moment of his career.
Towards the final moments of the Cleveland Browns 21-7 victory over Pittsburgh, 2021 DPOY candidate Myles Garrett and Rudolph were involved in a serious fight. Garrett snatched Rudolph’s helmet off his head and he tried to hit Rudolph’s head with his helmet. Rudolph was trying to drag down the Browns elite defensive end in the physical exchange. Garrett accused Rudolph of using a racial slur at him, but the players and league couldn’t find any evidence of Rudolph expressing a racial slur at him. Garrett was suspended indefinitely and fined $45,623, while Rudolph wasn’t suspended and given a hefty fine of $50,000.
The Pittsburgh center and tough guy Maurkice Pouncey was suspended for two games and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended one game for being involved in the infamous brawl.
Rudolph started two preseason games (played three games) in 2021 and unleashed a 99.2 passer rating from the preseason. Rudolph flashed his excellent improvement in reading the field and taking care of the football. He displayed a 75% completion percentage and he didn’t throw any interceptions.
The veteran backup would go on to make two appearances this season (one start), as well. He threw for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. In his lone start, Rudolph led his team to a tie with the three-win Detroit Lions squad. The young QB told the press after the game that his performance wasn’t “good enough”. He did throw a real head-scratching interception to the Lions, but he did make some magic happen with 242 passing yards and a touchdown.
Mason Rudolph may not be the next Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but he can show that he’s made significant growth as a starting QB in training camp. He is also the favorite to be the next Steelers starting QB due to his combination of talent and “experience” with the Steelers offense. The NFL world witnessed Jameis Winston become a more talented, sharper QB after sitting behind Drew Brees in New Orleans. I wouldn’t say it’s wishful thinking to believe that Rudolph could have a similar outcome as a fourth-year player in 2021 that Winston had in 2021 as the Saints new starting QB.
Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins was a rockstar in college and that was evident with his 14-1 record in college. In 2018, Haskins placed third in Heisman voting. Kyler Murray would go on to win the award and get selected by the Arizona Cardinals first overall in 2019.
The former Ohio State Buckeye has been on a roller coaster ride in the professional football league thus far. The former 15th overall pick in 2019 flamed out of Washington after being given countless games as the starting QB. He had a rough rookie year, which is arguably expected from first year QBs in a lackluster system. Still, Haskins showed little growth and brought no spark to the Washington offense in year two. Matter, in fact, Haskins clearly regressed in year two as the starter. The former OSU QB threw 5 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and unveiled a mere 6 yards per completion. Haskins was also ripped by former Washington great Joe Theisman and many media outlets for taking selfies with the crowd during the final seconds of a game. Haskins was supposed to be on the field taking a knee in victory formation, but he was taking in the glory too soon with the fans. Case Keenum had to run onto the field to close out the big win.
Haskins was axed by the no-nonsense coach Ron Rivera and left stranded without a home post-2020 season. The QB that was widely seen as a bust needed to find a program that could help utilize his physical gifts and a location that could help churn out a more robust work ethic. Thankfully, he founded the perfect team and mentor with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin. The Steelers signed Haskins to a one-year, $850,000 deal in the 2021 offseason.
Haskins showed an impressive 86.8 QBR in the 2021 preseason while having 2 passing touchdowns and one interception. Unfortunately, he did have more hiccups in the 2021 season. Haskins has struggled with the repetitive professionalism required of being a professional athlete. In the Week 10 pre-game, Haskins was “checking his phone” and “throwing lousy passes”. It was clearly frustrating for the Steelers organization and fanbase to witness Haskins Haskins’s attitude in Week 10 after they gave him a second opportunity. Nonetheless, it was one notable error made by the hopeful QB in the 18 week season.
Haskins still flashed his excellence in practice sessions throughout the 2021 season. He did nicely catch the attention of the Steelers coaching staff and Tomlin from his overall effort in the 2021-2022 season. Tomlin clearly feels that Haskins has a real shot to be the next starting QB and that he’s put the work in 2021 to show them he’s grown as a football player and individual. It seems concrete that Dwayne Haskins will reunite with the Steelers on another “one-year prove-it deal”.
Verdict
Tomlin is a classy coach and he does believe that Haskins or Rudolph should be given the opportunity for the starting nod. With that said, it would be logical for the Steelers to add a QB in free agency or the draft. I don’t foresee the Steelers breaking the bank for a free agent QB, but they may add a veteran QB like Marcus Mariota or Andy Dalton to compete for the starting gig. Tomlin did say he wants a “mobile” QB to start moving forward. Mariota was arguably a Top 3 backup QB in 2021 for the Las Vegas Raiders and he’s only 28 years old.
Mariota had three straight winning seasons for the Tennessee Titans in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The former Oregon Duck was exceptional in his second season where he threw 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The once Titans QB lost his gig to the talented Ryan Tannehill, who is now yielding a Titans squad that has the first seed in the AFC. Mariota wasn’t completely thrown in the doghouse for poor performance. He lost the keys to the offense to a quality AFC quarterback. Mariota may also be a smart addition if the Steelers want to rotate him in for certain packages that include him running with the football. Mariota could help lessen the load with a younger QB by getting involved as a rotational QB.
If the Steelers have an opportunity to draft a Matt Corral from Ole Miss in round one, they should strike and groom him to be the future starting QB. If Corral isn’t a future Steeler, I’d be convinced that Rudolph is a better option than a Day 2 or Day 3 rookie QB in 2021. It isn’t clear by any means which QB will join the Steelers QB room, but Mariota, Dalton, or Corral would be smart 2021 starting options and profiles that could push Rudolph for the keys to the Ferrari.
I’d personally like to see Mariota added to the Steelers. He would be a great value pickup and he can be the “mobile” QB Tomlin desires. The Steelers also have the firepower and weapons to elevate Mariota’s passing game. If Rudolph does show enough ability and potential to be a “quality” starting QB, the Steelers can get creative and incorporate Mariota in a similar way that the Saints use Taysom Hill at QB. Mitchell Trubisky could be a sleeper option, as he displays a pleasant combination of athletic ability, arm talent, and age.
I’d love to see the Steelers select Matt Corral or make a trade up in the first round for Corral. The Ole Miss stud doesn’t only exhibit amazing accuracy, but he’s been timed at a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash. He has a modest, thick frame, as well. He isn’t 6’6 or even 6’4, but he does have a similar frame as Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers (6’2, 205).
I don’t expect a team like the New Orleans Saints or Houston Texans to pick Corral. I feel confident that Sean Payton will want Russell Wilson or the proven Jameis Winston to capitalize off the talent they still have on the roster. The Steelers should be very pleased if they could have Mariota, Corral, Rudolph, and potentially Haskins in the QB room. The Steelers aren’t paying a fortune for Rudolph (contract expires in 2023) and Mariota wouldn’t demand money like Jameis Winston, so they could absolutely afford to have Mariota and Corral added to the roster.
The comparisons between the two current Steelers QBs are still fascinating in themselves. Haskins has mega arm talent, but Rudolph isn’t short on arm strength himself. The difference is that Rudolph can move the football consistently down the field and take care of the football better than the former Washington QB. Haskins has had notorious low YPC and he’s struggled with completing check-down passes to move the chain. Haskins will have to make special plays and take care of the football very well if he wants a chance to win the starting role. A positive note for Haskins is that he will have the toys (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool) to do so. We saw Winston light up the Jacksonville Jaguars defense with Marquez Callaway in the 2021 preseason and that was a big reason why he won the Saints QB competition against Taysom Hill. Haskins will have to be perfect throwing the ball down the field, make very few mistakes, and be consistent with his attitude if he wants to be the face of the franchise. If Haskins doesn’t win the competition but is able to show growth, he should still be positive about taking positive strides in his somewhat resurrected, young career.
All in all, I believe Rudolph has churned out improvements in his game well and he’s more mature than Haskins at this stage. Rudolph is clearly the Day 1 starter right now and he would be leading the team out of the tunnel if the season started today. I’d also be shocked if Rudolph isn’t the initial starting QB in training camp, even if a free agent QB like Mariota or first-round pick in Corral is added.
