PITTSBURGH — All Mason Rudolph wanted was a fair shot to compete for the starting position to replace Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback he backed up for four seasons. At the very least, he wanted to make sure he got equal opportunity to just hold onto the No. 2 spot.
But, despite being "much better than last year" and the "most ready I've ever been" to be a starter, Rudolph is none of the above.
He has been demoted to the No. 3 quarterback spot, behind Mitch Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett, and, for the first time since his rookie season in 2018, won't even dress for Sunday's season opener in Cincinnati. Disappointing isn't too strong a word to describe his feeling.
"I'm a competitor," Rudolph told the Post-Gazette on Wednesday. "Anyone who wants to compete wants to be the guy on the field, but those are things I can't control. I'm going to have a good positive mindset, do what I can to help us win."
Rudolph's position was impacted by the development of Pickett, the team's No. 1 draft choice who impressed coach Mike Tomlin with his "fluidity, competitive spirit and pinpoint accuracy" in preseason games.
Tomlin had his mind made up several weeks ago Pickett would be the backup to Trubisky and conveyed as much to the former Pitt quarterback. That's why his "clerical error" with the Monday depth chart was nothing more than that — a mistake by Tomlin and not a change of heart, as some might speculate.
"I knew what it was," Pickett said. "I was OK."
It has been something of a meteoric ascent for Pickett, who completed 80.6% of his throws with three touchdowns and a 124.7 passer rating in the preseason, but he said had no expectations of what his role would be to start the season.
"I just really generally take it day by day," Pickett said. "There's a lot going on, a lot that goes into being a professional quarterback. I'm just learning so much. I want to keep improving, and everything else will take care of itself."
It has left Rudolph in an unfamiliar position — watching from the sideline in street clothes.
What makes the demotion difficult for Rudolph to take is he might have been the team's most consistent quarterback — day in and day out — since spring practice. He performed well in preseason games, too, despite playing mostly with players who are no longer with the team.
He led the comeback victory in Jacksonville, completing 26 of 39 attempts for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
Did he get a fair shot to be the starter?
"I think it's kind of in the rearview mirror now," Rudolph said. "I would've liked to have had more first-team reps, but decisions are made. I'm moving forward.
"Listen, I'm a much better player than I was Year 1 to Year 5. I'm confident in myself and happy with myself when I did get the reps. I'm going to do whatever I'm asked to do. Other than that, I guess I'll just kind of hold the clipboard."
Rudolph and his agent, Tim Younger, have not approached the Steelers about trading him, according to sources. The Steelers would like to keep Rudolph to protect themselves against what happened in 2019 when they traded No. 3 quarterback Josh Dobbs shortly before Roethlisberger sustained a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2.
Nonetheless, being demoted to third team is not something a five-year veteran likes.
"I thought I played well," Rudolph said. "I think I'm going to have a chance to play in this league as a quarterback for a long time. I'm confident in that. I wanted more first-team reps, but anyone who is a competitor would.
"I think I got much better from last year throwing the ball, understanding [Matt Canada's] offense, where you feel the most ready you've ever been. You feel like, hey, I should have more reps, but that's not the hand I've been dealt."
