Rudolph has been the presumed steady backup, but his preseason form has waned as Thompson surged. The two-game stretch of uneven play sharpens the competition for the No. 2 role, with Thompson’s efficiency giving him the edge and Rudolph needing a strong late push to reassert stability.

Rudolph slots into the backup QB role behind Rodgers, with Will Howard and Skylar Thompson fighting for a third spot. Rudolph’s reliability and familiarity with the Steelers’ offense give him value as a steadying option in fantasy two‐QB formats, especially if Rodgers needs occasional rest.

Mason Rudolph steps into a larger preseason role with Will Howard’s status in flux. Rudolph’s familiarity with the Steelers’ system and game-management style makes him the most likely Week 1 fallback option if Howard isn’t cleared, providing a solid floor for redraft streaming in the event of an injury.

Rudolph’s outing showed gaps compared with last week, narrowing the edge against Skylar Thompson in the No. 2 QB race. The Steelers’ decision will hinge on consistency and command in the pocket, with Thompson offering upside for the bullpen role if Rudolph’s tempo remains uneven.

Rudolph led Pittsburgh’s opening drives, delivering balls to Wilson and Johnson and showing rhythm with a few high-percentage throws. An underthrown pass to Wilson and an early Zyon McCollum pick tempered the night, but Rudolph’s command hints at potential in a QB-competition context.