The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback room feels like a revolving door these days. Honestly, if you blinked over the last two years, you probably missed three different "eras" of Steeler football. One minute it’s the Russell Wilson experiment, the next it’s the Justin Fields era, and suddenly, we’re looking at a 2026 roster that feels a bit like a "Back to the Future" script.
So, who is the Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback right now?
As of January 2026, the man sitting right behind the starter is Mason Rudolph.
Yes, you read that correctly. The same Mason Rudolph who was once the heir apparent to Big Ben, then the forgotten man, then the guy who saved the 2023 season, is back in the black and gold. After a brief one-year stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, Rudolph returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year deal prior to the 2025 season. He spent this past year backing up—wait for it—Aaron Rodgers.
NFL moves come at you fast.
The Current Depth Chart Breakdown
Steelers fans have had to keep a scorecard just to know who’s taking the snaps. Following the 2025 season, which saw Aaron Rodgers leading the charge under center, the hierarchy in the locker room has stabilized, even if the future of the QB1 spot is currently a bit of a question mark.
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- The Starter (For Now): Aaron Rodgers. Though he’s hitting free agency and there are rumblings he might not return to Pittsburgh for 2026, he was the guy for the 2025 campaign.
- The Primary Backup: Mason Rudolph. He’s the insurance policy. The bridge. The guy who knows the facility better than anyone else.
- The Developmental Piece: Will Howard. The former Kansas State and Ohio State standout was a sixth-round pick in 2025. He’s the "project" on the roster.
- The Practice Squad/Reserve: John Rhys Plumlee. A versatile athlete who has spent time mimicking dual-threat QBs during practice weeks.
Rudolph is currently the only veteran presence locked in for 2026 with real experience in this specific system. His two-year contract, worth roughly $4.25 million in base salary plus a $3.25 million signing bonus, makes him a very affordable and high-value backup.
Why the Steelers Went Back to Mason Rudolph
It’s easy to joke about the Steelers and their loyalty to familiar faces. But look, NFL teams value "knowing the system." When Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both moved on after the 2024 season—Wilson to the Giants and Fields to the Jets—the Steelers were left with a massive void.
They needed someone who wouldn't flinch if the starter went down.
Rudolph proved his worth late in the 2025 season when Rodgers exited a Week 11 game against the Bengals with a wrist injury. Mason stepped in and did exactly what Mason does: he completed 12 of 16 passes, threw a touchdown, and didn't turn the ball over. Mike Tomlin basically summed it up by saying they value him because he delivers when called upon. It’s not flashy. It’s not going to win him an MVP. But it wins games when the "star" is in the blue medical tent.
What Happened to Justin Fields and Russell Wilson?
If you're wondering how we got here, it was a wild 2025 offseason. Both Fields and Wilson were free agents after their one-year trials in Pittsburgh.
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Justin Fields signed a massive $40 million deal with the New York Jets to be their long-term solution. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson headed to the New York Giants, though that didn't go quite as planned (he was eventually benched for rookie Jaxson Dart).
The Steelers effectively "reset" the room by bringing in Rodgers on a one-year flyer and re-signing Rudolph to be the steady hand. It was a complete philosophical shift from the "mobility and youth" gamble of 2024 back to "veteran stability" in 2025.
The "Bridge" Problem and the 2026 Draft
Here is the reality that every Steelers fan is talking about at the local Primanti Bros: Mason Rudolph is the backup, but he might be the Week 1 starter in 2026 if Rodgers leaves.
That’s a scary thought for some, and a "he deserves a shot" moment for others.
Analysts like Danny Kanell have already started pointing toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Names like Alabama’s Ty Simpson are being linked to Pittsburgh. The idea is that Rudolph acts as the "bridge"—the veteran who starts the first six games while the rookie learns how to be a pro.
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Basically, the Steelers are in a transition phase. Again.
Why Mason Rudolph is the perfect backup (for this team):
- Contractual Value: His cap hit is minimal, allowing the front office to spend big on the defense (TJ Watt isn't getting any cheaper).
- Locker Room Respect: He’s survived the Ben years, the Duck Hodges years, and the Pickett era. The guys trust him.
- Low Risk: He doesn't try to be a hero. In a Tomlin-led system that prizes "not losing the game," Rudolph fits like a glove.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you are tracking the Steelers' roster moves, keep a close eye on the "Legal Tampering" period in March. While Rudolph is the backup today, his role is entirely dependent on what happens with the QB1 spot.
- Watch the Rodgers News: If Aaron Rodgers officially signs elsewhere, Rudolph becomes the de facto QB1 until the draft.
- Draft Position: The Steelers are projected to have a lot of draft capital (including compensatory picks from losing Fields and Wilson). If they trade up into the top 10, the "backup" competition between Rudolph and a rookie will be the story of training camp.
- Futures Contracts: The team recently signed 13 players to reserve/future deals, including athletes like John Rhys Plumlee. These are the guys who will be competing for that "QB3" spot in August.
The Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback situation is currently stable with Mason Rudolph, but in the NFL, "stable" usually lasts about fifteen minutes. For now, number 2 is your guy if the starter goes down.
To stay ahead of the roster changes, keep an eye on the official NFL transaction wire during the first week of March, as that will determine if the Steelers add another veteran to compete with Rudolph for the primary backup role.