Following the retirement of legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers face uncertainty at QB as they prepare for the 2022 NFL season.
Stats PerformUpdate: Feb 22nd, 2022 09:34 EST
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The Pittsburgh Steelers say they are “excited” to see what Mason Rudolph can do but will also be recruiting at quarterback this offseason.
Steelers tasked with replacing franchise great Roethlisberger
After the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh have uncertainty over their regular starter at QB for the first time since the two-time Super Bowl winner was drafted in 2004.
Rudolph was backup to Roethlisberger over the past three seasons and has started 10 games over that span, while former Washington first-round pick Dwayne Haskins is expected to stay with the team.
The Steelers will also bring in another option, either via free agency, trade or the NFL Draft, but outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert was positive about Rudolph.
“Mason’s 5-4-1 as an NFL starter, albeit in a backup kind of role, but we are excited to see what is next for Mason,” said Colbert, who will step down as GM after the draft process, per ESPN.
“If we started a season today, Mason would be our starter, and we’re excited to see where that can go. I’m comfortable that Mason has won more games than he’s lost as a starter.
“Where that can go, we’ll see. To be an NFL starter that you can win with, you gotta prove it over 16 games. I’m anxious to see that, if that’s the case.
“And we’re excited to see what Dwayne can provide either from competition, or maybe he evolves as a starter.”
A message from Ben:@steelers #NFL #SteelersNation #ThankYou#HereWeGo #LoveAndHonor pic.twitter.com/pUbKGO1nUs
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) January 27, 2022
“We know we’re going to add to the position”
Jimmy Garoppolo has been linked as a possible trade candidate, while the Steelers have the number 20 pick in a draft which does not have a consensus top QB expected to go at the top of the order.
Colbert added: “We know we’re going to add to the position. I can’t tell you how, but at this point we will go to camp with four [QBs].
“If we had to start today with Mason as our starter, let’s go. We’ll try to build the best team around him.”
Malik Willis, Sam Howell and Kenny Pickett are among the draft prospects Pittsburgh are likely to be doing due diligence on.
“The draft class of quarterbacks, there’s good quality available – probably not as many as there have been in recent years, but it is what it is,” added Colbert.
“This group, there’s good players in it and there’s good players that all have a different skill set.
