Pittsburgh – With the retirement of Ben Rothlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback job is about to officially take over.
On Monday, outgoing general manager Kevin Colbert presented the former backup Mason Rudolph Confidence vote.
“If we start a season today, Mason will be our starter and we’m glad to see where it can go,” Colbert said in his annual availability with local media ahead of the NFL merger. “Mason’s 5-4-1 as an NFL starter, despite being in the backup role, we’m eager to see what’s next for Mason.”
Rudolf started a game for the Steelers in 2021, ending the 11th hour after Rothlisberger tested positive for the Covit-19 a day before the 9th week game against the Detroit Lions. Rudolph finished 30 of 50 attempts with a touchdown and an interception for 242 yards. In 2019, Rudolph started eight games after Rothlisberger’s season – ending elbow injury. It was a tumultuous season for the then second year quarter, when he completed 62% of his efforts with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
But the Steelers invested in Rudolph’s development, appointing Matt Canada as quarterback coach next season. After being promoted to Canada attack coordinator in 2021, the team brought in honorary quarterback coach Mike Sullivan to work with the team.
“I’m comfortable with Mason winning more games than he looked like a starter,” Colbert said. “We’ll see where it goes. To be an NFL opener you can win, you have to prove it over 16 games. If so, I’m eager to see it.”
Rudolph, who is entering his fifth year with the company, is currently the only quarterback on the list under contract for the 2022 season, but Colbert added that he expects the team to tender the former first-round selection. Twain HoskinsWho spent most of 2021 as a scout team quarterback.
“We’m happy to see what Twain can offer from the tournament, or he could develop into a starter,” Colbert said.
But the Steelers didn’t stop there.
“We know we’ve going to add to the situation,” Colbert said. “I can not tell you how, but this time we’re going to camp with four people.”
The two quarterbacks seemingly discussed Colbert, Art Rooney II and Mike Tomlin every possible way to join the group. The group is their number. 20 Choose a quarterback through an overall selection or explore the free agency and trading market.
“The draft class of quarterbacks is of good quality – not as many as it has been in recent years, but that’s it,” Colbert said.
The Steelers saw some of those opportunities well in the senior bowl, including Liberty. Malik Willis And North Carolina Sam Howell. Colbert Pitt also has an eye on the quarterback Kenny PickettHis Heisman-final season has a front row seat from the Steelers and Bit sharing facilities.
“There are good players on this team,” Colbert said. “Everyone has good players with different abilities. It’s very unique to see them compete in the senior bowl because most of them were there, they’re all different. I know some of them will start. Quarterbacks, winning quarterbacks, it’s exciting.”
Colbert – and the team -‘s top priority is to find a post-Rothlisberger post-off program this quarterback, but the Steelers need to replace Colbert as well. The longtime general manager is stepping down after the April NFL draft. Colbert told Tomlin and Rooney II that May 2021 would be his last season as general manager, but he said he could be around the company in another role.
“I think it’s time from a personal standpoint, and I think it’s time from a professional standpoint,” Colbert said. “We should always be very honest with new ways of doing things and current ways of doing things. And I encourage our younger scouts to push me into that matter, but the best solution may be outside the company. We do not. I do not know, but I think from a personal point of view, of course, Time, but also from a professional standpoint, we have to be open to trying to stay ahead of the game. “
To find a replacement for Colbert, Colbert and Rooney II interview candidates. The first round of interviews will take place in early March and the second round is expected to end after the NFL draft. Tomlin is now in the process, but Colbert said the head coach will still have a bigger role to play in determining the next general manager after the draft.
So far, the Steelers have interviewed seven external candidates for the post, with two internal candidates, Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt.
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