Steelers Backups Rudolph, Haskins Anxious For Chance To Replace Roethlisberger

Though Ben Roethlisberger continues to drag out an official retirement announcement, it's a foregone conclusion that he's played his last down for Pittsburgh. That leaves the Steelers in the market for a new starting quarterback for the first time in nearly 20 years.

According to at least two current Steelers, they shouldn't have to look far for Ben's replacement.

“I definitely feel like I can be a starter in this league,” Steelers' current third-team QB Dwayne Haskins said earlier this week via Will Graves.

Both Haskins, who just completed his first season with Pittsburgh, and Mason Rudolph, a Steeler since 2018, feel they're capable of replacing Big Ben.

“I want to serve this role and I want to prove myself to my teammates, the guys that I really care about,” Rudolph said of a potential chance to serve as Pittsburgh's top signal caller next fall, per the Associated Press.

Rudolph's gone 5-4-1 in 10 career starts, leaving the door open for a likely in-house competition with Haskins, a former first-round pick.

“I got drafted for that reason," Haskins said, per Will Graves. "I really believe I have the talent to (start). I believe I can play with the best of them. I really just haven’t put it all together yet. And I know I have to do that if I want to put myself in a position to play.”

In the event the Steelers don't see either Haskins or Rudolph as the right QB to lead their franchise, they'll have an opportunity to snag Roethlishberger's replacement in April's draft. Pittsburgh owns the 20th pick in the first round.

 

Follow along on Twitter: @OhioAF