Pittsburgh Steelers fans have not needed to worry about who is backing up beloved quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the last few seasons. However, as a 37-year-old playing the most important position in football ages, fans have no choice but to ask themselves who could be next? Hopefuls Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs have been battling neck and neck for the last few years without much wiggle. Finally, this season we can see some real competition in the Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback battle.
Pittsburgh Steelers Backup Quarterback Battle Nearing End
Joshua Dobbs
Josh Dobbs has been a back-up Quarterback in the Pittsburgh Steelers system since the 2017 season. Dobbs has had to work for this back-up job since day one competing with Landry Jones and now Mason Rudolph. Dobbs has been known as super intelligent and mobile since college but has always lacked the consistent accuracy the NFL demands. This preseason Dobbs has not shown the growth necessary to see him anchoring this team if something happens to Ben Roethlisberger. The Tennessee alumni has tons of speed athleticism. However, that mobility has its downfalls. One play he rolls out and throws an accurate, deep pass. Then follows a play like that with a pass with the same roll out mixed with a highly inaccurate pass. For example, the late interception thrown high and tipped off the hands of Tight end Zach Gentry. Now, this interception was arguable as to who was to blame. Gentry, at six-foot eight, is simply too large to overthrow and that is what happened on that play. Dobbs is scheduled to start Thursday against the Carolina Panthers in the last week of the preseason. He will need to bring every aspect of his game and fight for these last few reps.
Mason Rudolph
Mason Rudolph is newer to being the Pittsburgh Steelers back-up quarterback than Josh Dobbs but you would not know it by the throws we have seen this preseason. It is hard to forget his struggles as a rookie to effectively read the field and make throws. Previously, Rudolph once looked slow at diagnosing coverage’s and keeping his feet moving. This is the total opposite to what fans are looking at in 2019. Rudolph has had a confident approach to each drive he has led for the Steelers. It is clear that Kevin Colbert and company drafting Rudolph’s top college target, James Washington a round in front of him was a smart move. The duo’s ability to take over a game were on display against the Kansas City Chiefs when it seemed Washington was catching every pass. Then lightning struck again against the Tennessee Titans when Rudolph proved during prime time he trusts his guy Washington with a 43-yard touchdown pass that was chucked almost as soon as Rudolph finished his drop back. This special connection could prove to be the thing secures Rudolph the back-up role this season.
This week it looks like Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph will split snaps in the first half. Soon after, roster long shot Devlin Hodges will receive the bulk of the second half snaps. This will leave one last small window for each man to prove he is not being overlooked. Right now, it seems Rudolph has the upper hand to back-up Ben. However, Mike Tomlin will leave no stones unturned before making this decision.
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