Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins Atop Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB Depth Chart — For Now

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t know the identity of their starting quarterback heading into the offseason.

Ben Roethlisberger replaced Tommy Maddox three games into his rookie season in 2004 and has been QB1 ever since. However, Roethlisberger seems certain to retire even if he has not made an official announcement.

So how do the Steelers replace Roethlisberger.

Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t tipping his hand in the aftermath of the Steelers going 9-7-1 in the regular season then losing Sunday in the first round of the playoffs to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tomlin, though, likely isn’t bluffing. It is safe to assume the Steelers don’t know yet who the starter will be in 2022. Even after 15 seasons on the job, Tomlin has never entered an offseason wondering about his starting QB.

“It’s a challenge, man,” Tomlin said. “It kind of makes you uneasy. But I’ve learned to run to those challenges. I’ve learned to appreciate those challenges. The uncertainty surrounding them is inspiring to me in terms of producing work.”

Speculation, primarily from the national media more than locally, has the Steelers trading for a veteran quarterback. They have been linked to Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins.

Yet a blockbuster trade seems highly unlikely by a franchise that has traded out of the first round exactly one time in the last 55 years.

The Steelers have the 20^th overall pick but the top QBs – Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral — may be gone at that point. Further complicating matters is none of the players at that position in this year’s draft class project as surefire franchise quarterbacks.

The Steelers are more likely to look to the bolster the offensive line in the first round than select someone a quarterback such as Liberty’s Malik Willis, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder or North Carolina’s Sam Howell.

However, it might be a different story if one of those one those guys would still be available in the second round.

In that case, the Steelers might draft a QB and have him serve as the backup for a season while signing a veteran free agent to bridge the gap in 2022. Among those players who might fit that role are Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor and Mitchell Trubisky.

The Steelers could also go with what they already have on the roster and stage a training camp competition between Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Many longtime Steelers’ observers believe that is the most likely scenario.

Rudolph is 5-4-1 as a starter in his four-year career but struggled in his lone start this season. Filling in during Week 10 when Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID-19, Rudolph could only guide the Steelers to a 16-16 tie at home against the lowly Detroit Lions.

Though he knows he still must prove himself, Rudolph is eager to get a shot at the starting job.

“There are still question marks on my game,” Rudolph said. “I want to serve this role and I want to prove myself to my teammates, the guys that I really care about.”

Haskins was Washington’s first-round draft pick in 2019 but clearly was not ready to be a starter. He had a 3-10 record and his career quickly fizzled.

The Steelers signed Haskins as a free agent after he was released, but he did not take a snap this season. Haskins, though, does not consider 2021 a wasted year.

“Having to play early (in his career), I never had a chance to learn the NFL game the way it should be done and the way the Steelers wanted done,” Haskins said. “It gave me an opportunity to understand the ‘Steelers Way’ and how they wanted their quarterbacks to operate.”