Mason Rudolph

NFL player. Position: QB. Team: PIT (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Quick Facts

• Position: QB
• Team: PIT (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Years with Steelers: 2018–2023, 2025–present (returned after 2024 with Titans)
• Career Record: 9-9-1 as starter

2026 Outlook

Mason Rudolph is competing for the backup QB role with Pittsburgh entering 2026. At 32 years old, Rudolph has spent most of his career with the Steelers but was ranked No. 27 among NFL backup quarterbacks by Sports Illustrated, below several younger backup prospects. The competition intensifies with Will Howard (2025 sixth-rounder, entering second season) and Drew Allar (2026 third-round pick) also on the roster. While HC Mike McCarthy appears likely to hand Rudolph the QB2 job despite the ranking, it's not guaranteed—Howard could emerge in the preseason. Rudolph posted a 1-5 record as a starter over the past two seasons (2024 with Tennessee, 2025 relief duty with Pittsburgh), throwing 11 TDs and 11 INTs. His 2023 season was strong (3-0, great numbers in stretch run to playoffs), but inconsistency has defined recent performance. (per Steelers' Mason Rudolph Put on Notice Ahead of 2026 NFL Season)

Role / Depth Chart

Backup QB, likely to Aaron Rodgers but not guaranteed due to competition with younger alternatives.

Recent News

• 2026-05-22 — Steelers have a QB competition — one with immediate and long-term consequences - The... (Steelers have a QB competition — one with immediate and long-term consequences - The...)
• 2026-04-25 — 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Drew Allar to Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers and Carson Beck... (2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Drew Allar to Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers and Carson Beck...)
• 2026-04-22 — Pittsburgh Steelers draft capsule: Quarterbacks and special teams (Pittsburgh Steelers draft capsule: Quarterbacks and special teams)
• 2026-04-27 — Fantasy football: Rating the 2026 rookies in redraft and dynasty leagues (Fantasy football: Rating the 2026 rookies in redraft and dynasty leagues)
• 2026-04-17 — Coordinators Corner: New coordinators share their takes (Coordinators Corner: New coordinators share their takes)
• 2026-04-29 — NFL free agents: Projecting landing spots for best players still available (NFL free agents: Projecting landing spots for best players still available)
• 2026-04-27 — 2026 NFL free agency: Best fits for top remaining players after NFL Draft (2026 NFL free agency: Best fits for top remaining players after NFL Draft)
• 2026-06-12 — Identifying the Games That Could Define Titans' 2026 Season (Identifying the Games That Could Define Titans' 2026 Season)
• 2026-06-04 — Five Titans facing make-or-break summers as OTAs start winding down (Five Titans facing make-or-break summers as OTAs start winding down)
• 2026-05-18 — Ranking the 10 worst QB rooms in NFL entering 2026; starting predictions for Week 1 (Ranking the 10 worst QB rooms in NFL entering 2026; starting predictions for Week 1)

Open Questions

• Will Rudolph secure the backup QB job over Will Howard and Drew Allar during preseason competition?

Sources