AP Photo/Kirk Irwin
With Ben Roethlisberger nearly obvious to retire after the 2021 season, backup Mason Rudolph says he’s hopeful he will have interaction over the reins in 2022.
“That’s my aim, to be a starting up quarterback on this league and for our team, and I’m working toward that aim each day,” Rudolph advised reporters Tuesday. “I’m in a position to ideal control myself and the style I put together and the style I system and play in OTAs and camp, and that is on the forefront of my ideas.
“I’m no longer worried about ’22 or one thing enjoy that. I’m making an strive to are living in the 2d and be the categorical I’m in a position to for my team.”
Rudolph has served as a backup to Roethlisberger since being taken in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. He began eight video games in 2019 and one sport final season in keep of an injured Roethlisberger, nonetheless in the past he hasn’t proven that he’s the team’s ideal prolonged-term option.
The Oklahoma Suppose product has thrown for 2,089 yards and 15 touchdowns in opposition to 10 interceptions in 15 profession appearances overall. Pittsburgh gave him a relative vote of confidence in deciding to no longer use a draft capture on a quarterback in the 2021 NFL draft.
Nonetheless, the Steelers signed 2019 first-round capture Dwayne Haskins as a doable developmental skills leisurely final season. It’s seemingly Rudolph will scuttle into training camp competing with Haskins and Josh Dobbs for the backup feature in the encourage of Roethlisberger.
The 2021 season is one thing of a final hurrah for the Steelers, who’ve a frail-encumbered roster that can need major adjustments in the post-Roethlisberger generation. Grand of Pittsburgh’s offseason maneuvering consisted of pushing its wage cap constraints down the avenue one other year to compete this season.
The Steelers can even uncover themselves in a location an associated to the one confronted by the Recent Orleans Saints this offseason amid Drew Brees’ retirement.
