Ben Roethlisberger says subsequent yr’s open quarterback competitors can be good for Mason Rudolph

Along with his upcoming retirement imminent, Ben Roethlisberger pulled again the curtain Wednesday because it pertains to speaking concerning the future. Barring a Steelers win and a Jaguars win over the Colts, Sunday’s street sport towards the Ravens would be the closing sport in an 18-year profession for Roethlisberger, who on Monday night time capped off his profession at Heinz Area with an emotional win over the Cleveland Browns. 

Roethlisberger mentioned that he has already spoken to former teammates concerning the transition he’s about to make. Roethlisberger expressed optimism in the way forward for Pittsburgh’s offense, a unit that features operating again Najee Harris, tight finish Pat Freiermuth and receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Roethlisberger was additionally requested about quarterback Mason Rudolph, who right now can be the possible participant to succeed Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh’s subsequent beginning quarterback. 

“He works actually laborious,” Roethlisberger mentioned of Rudolph, whose solely begin this season was Pittsburgh’s Week 10 towards the Lions. “He is sensible, he understands what is going on on. I believe that it is simply the repetition. … I believe this offseason, most likely realizing that there is going to be a contest for it, I believe that is going to be good for him. 

“It is most likely fairly laborious to wrap your thoughts round what do I’ve to do to be a starter when there’s an outdated, veteran man forward of you. So I believe that that might do wonders for him this offseason.”

The 76th total choose within the 2018 NFL Draft, Rudolph didn’t make his regular-season debut till Week 2 of the 2019 season when Roethlisberger sustained a season-ending elbow harm. In 10 video games that season, Rudolph accomplished 62.2% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and went 5-3 as a starter. Rudolph has appeared in simply three video games (with two begins) for the reason that 2019 season. He threw for 315 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in Pittsburgh’s loss in Cleveland within the closing sport of the 2020 common season. In opposition to the Lions, Rudolph was 30 of fifty for 242 yards with a landing and an interception. 

Rudolph has been in place battles all through his profession. This previous offseason, he beat out Dwayne Haskins to be Roethlisberger’s main backup. This summer time, Rudolph will possible get the possibility to make his case to be the Steelers’ Week 1 starter. The one situation the place that will not occur can be within the occasion that the Steelers are in a position to purchase both Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, assuming each gamers do not stay with their present golf equipment. 

Steelers followers have no less than another sport with Roethlisberger underneath heart earlier than Pittsburgh begins the method of discovering its subsequent beginning quarterback. They’re absolutely hoping that it will not take as lengthy for the Steelers to search out Roethlisberger’s long-term successor because it did after Terry Bradshaw retired following the 1983 season. Amongst others, the Steelers had Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O’Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox underneath heart earlier than Roethlisberger took the reins in 2004.