Steelers Could Take Unconventional Route At QB And Ruin Homegrown Veteran's Chance To Make Final Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their first preseason game of the 2025 season on Saturday as the team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 31-25. It was an impressive performance from the offense as the Pittsburgh group was able to find the end zone four teams, with every score coming through the air. Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson took most of the snaps at quarterback, while Logan Woodside snuck in at the end of the fourth quarterback to get a few reps in. Both Rudolph and Thompson looked extremely impressive, although it was just a preseason game.

Rudolph started the game for Pittsburgh, and he was flawless on the team's opening drive as he found Darnell Washington for a score. Thompson then entered and threw three touchdown passes himself. He was once considered an afterthought when it came to making the final roster, but his experience, paired with his latest performance, should make him an interesting case.

The top of the quarterback room in Pittsburgh is essentially set. Aaron Rodgers is the starter, while Rudolph will be backing him up. Fans would have liked to see Will Howard push for that backup role, but he broke a bone in his throwing hand in practice and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. Some have speculated that Howard could be placed on Injured Reserve to begin the year, while Thompson would assume the role as the third quarterback on the final roster. That is a possibility, as is trading Thompson, or Pittsburgh could seriously consider keeping four quarterbacks.

Keeping four quarterbacks is very unconventional in today's NFL. On game days, most teams only have two quarterbacks counting against the active roster as the league made a rule allowing team's to have a third, emergency quarterback that doesn't count against the 48 players that can be active during games. While it might be bizarre, it could also make sense to keep Thompson around. Pittsburgh can shop him if he keeps performing well, but if no other organization wants him, the Steelers should keep him.

Thompson staying on the roster gives another experienced veteran quarterback to Howard for him to learn from, and it also could allow Pittsburgh to trade him as the season moves along and injuries possibly occur. Keeping him around would limit roster spots at another position, which would mean another player would be cut. That could result in Pittsburgh keeping five wide receivers rather than six, or cutting an extra defensive lineman.

Some names to keep an eye on would be defenders like Isaiahh Loudermilk or Daniel Ekuale, while at receiver it could be a player like Brandon Johnson or Roc Taylor losing a job. This is what makes roster gymnastics so interesting at the end of every preseason and training camp, as formulating that final roster is one of the hardest things a coaching staff has to do.

Steelers Could Also Save Roster Spots Due To Positional Versatility

While keeping four quarterbacks would be bizarre and probably cost someone else their spot on the roster, the Steelers have done a good job of bringing in versatile players. One of those players is clearly Jalen Ramsey, who is expected to play slot cornerback, outside cornerback, and safety during the 2025 season. Due to his ability to move around the field, there is a world where Pittsburgh could keep one less safety due to Ramsey. 

This could allow Thompson to sneak onto the final roster, at least until the organization finds another team to trade him to. The franchise wouldn't gain much for him, but any future picks are valuable as the team still searches for a franchise quarterback.

What do you think is going to happen with Thompson? Do you have any predictions for the final roster? Let us know in the comments below!

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