The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been a major topic of conversation throughout the NFL this offseason. Despite the 2025 NFL Draft recently coming to an end, the team still finds itself without a clear starting quarterback. While the Steelers remain frontrunners to land veteran free agent Aaron Rodgers, no deal has been finalized, as Rodgers has yet to sign with the Steelers or any other team for that matter. As time continues on without a solid decision, the urgency grows for the Steelers to consider and evaluate alternative options at the quarterback position.
Robert Deutsch / Imagn Images
Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers smiles during a home game.
At the moment, Mason Rudolph appears to be the leading candidate to start at quarterback for the Steelers if the regular season were to begin today. This potential decision has resulted in mixed reactions. However, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently weighed in during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan with a surprising take, as he believes Rudolph may actually be better than a former Steelers quarterback. Kaboly’s comparison caught many off guard.
"Mason [Rudolph]. Justin [Fields], we saw what he can do," Kaboly shared.
The quarterback that Kaboly was comparing Rudolph to, was none other than Justin Fields, who was one of the two quarterbacks brought in last year for the Steelers. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Bears. After three seasons with the Bears, he was traded to the Steelers in 2024, where he started six games and posted a 4-2 record. In 2025, Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets. Known for his dual-threat capabilities, Fields has accumulated 7,780 passing yards and 2,509 rushing yards in his NFL career, showcasing his versatility and athleticism on the field. Kaboly went on to elaborate on why he believes Rudolph is the better quarterback between the two.
"I think he [Fields] played better then we all thought, but I don't think he played better then Mason [Rudolph]," Kaboly continued.
Fields signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, joining the team alongside Russell Wilson to compete for the starting quarterback job. During training camp, Wilson suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for the early portion of the 2025 NFL season, giving Fields the opportunity to step into the starting role. He led the team to a strong start, showing flashes of potential.
JOE SARGENT / GETTY IMAGES
Former Steelers QBs Russell Wilson (3) and Justin Fields (2) look on during practice.
However, once Wilson recovered, he reclaimed the starting job, leaving many fans disappointed. There was a sense among some that Fields should have remained the starter, and that feeling grew stronger when he ultimately signed with the Jets. Reports even suggested that Fields may have been the Steelers’ preferred option to start the 2025 season.
Rudolph, on the other hand, was re-signed by the Steelers this offseason after spending the previous year with the Tennessee Titans, where he was the primary backup to quarterback Will Levis. While Rudolph has spent the majority of his career as a backup, he has been called upon to start in several key games throughout his time in the NFL and has performed respectably in those situations. His familiarity with the Steelers organization is a valuable asset, as he already has a solid understanding of the team’s offensive system, personnel, and expectations. This combination of experience and system knowledge positions Rudolph as a dependable option, should he be asked to take on the starting role.
The Steelers Need An Answer At Quarterback
Right now, the Steelers appear to be have more questions then answers regarding their quarterback situation. With the regular season approaching, an answer from Rodgers would allow the Steelers to solidify their plans and begin preparing their offense accordingly. While Rudolph remains a fallback option, not everyone shares Kaboly’s optimism about his potential as a starter.
The Athletic
Steelers' Mason Rudolph.
Many believe the team still needs a more reliable solution for the quarterback position. Although the Steelers do have a few options on the table, it remains to be seen who will ultimately take on the starting quarterback role when the season kicks off.
#SteelerNation
