The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to get Ben Roethlisberger back in 2020, but the team still needs a contingency plan in case he gets hurt again. While addressing the quarterback situation, Art Rooney II admits that he is “comfortable” with Mason Rudolph as the team's backup moving forward.
“I think as we sit here today, we are all comfortable with Mason being our backup. Speaking of unusual seasons, he had an unusual season. He had to deal with some unusual circumstances, including injuries and everything else. I think it was an experience for him … (you know) the old story, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Hopefully it is that kind of situation for him. I think we are all pretty comfortable with Mason coming back as our backup and being a guy who can continue to develop.”
Near the beginning of the season, Roethlisberger was placed on injured reserve after injuring his elbow. As a result, the Steelers had to turn to Rudolph as their starting quarterback for most of the year.
The second-year quarterback out of Oklahoma State would start in eight games during the regular season for the Steelers. In those eight starts, Mason Rudolph completed 61.5 percent of his attempts for 1,524 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
After costing the team in some weeks, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin decided to bench Rudolph in favor of undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges. But in Week 16, Tomlin would go back to Rudolph before he suffered a shoulder injury that would sideline him for the final week of the regular season.
Despite Roethlisberger being back for his 17th season in 2020, he's played in one full season since 2015. Provided that, it's necessary for the Steelers to have a viable option behind him if he misses any time.
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