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Expect Mason Rudolph to be the Pittsburgh Steelers backup QB

By Noah Strackbein

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 21: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys warms up before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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While Josh Dobbs and Landry Jones fight for a roster spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mason Rudolph is proving he’s the only backup quarterback this team needs.

Now that the winds have settled and Ben Roethlisberger isn’t freaking out over losing his job, anymore, the Pittsburgh Steelers can clearly see what they have in rookie, Mason Rudolph. Through OTAs and Mini Camp, the rookie has shown everything the team is looking for in a Roethlisberger backup.

"“Mason’s been everything we’ve asked, for sure,” Randy Fichtner told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Throws, obviously, a nice ball. The physical things are all there. Obviously, mentally and learning is an acquired taste; that’s going to come through reps, physical reps, in-helmet perspectives, things that you’re not going to get and it’s not going to happen overnight.”"

People saw this coming. Even if no one was looking for Rudolph to be the team’s first option if Roethlisberger went down, fans and coaches looked at the Oklahoma State star to be a stud right from the jump. But after seeing it, it’s clear he’s the best option if the team is looking for if their starting quarterback misses time.

Dobbs and Jones may be headlining the quarterback battle this summer, but only because of the circumstances. One is going to make the roster, and the other isn’t. Therefore, they’ve become more interesting to follow than the rookie.

Once Training Camp is behind us, and the preseason provides the last chance for these gunslingers to earn their stripes, Rudolph will be the talk of the town. Whether Dobbs or Jones is left standing won’t matter when neither will be expected to see the field in 2018.

He’s the next franchise quarterback in this city. There’s no point in waiting for him to see the field if the circumstances arise. Instead of relying on Dobbs or Jones to keep this team afloat while Roethlisberger tries to return to the field, Rudolph can come in and keep this team competitive.

It’s the difference between staying in the playoff race and keeping up with the best in the league. Pittsburgh isn’t trying to be middle of the pack if their starting QB goes down. Jones and Dobbs keep you middle of the pack. Mason Rudolph can get you to the top of the AFC, right now.

Next: Tyler Matakevich is the "answer"

The quarterback competition has gone from Dobbs and Jones competing for the backup, to Dobbs and Jones looking to keep their jobs. Rudolph is the number two. Everyone else is just trying to earn a paycheck.

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