Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Mason Rudolph

Tuesday, May 20, 1:16 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith said he's ready to adjust to a new offense in 2025, something he's already done three times in the last three seasons. "I can adjust. And so, just an adjustment period, but the offense is really good. I'm looking forward to it. Won't give too many details, but we're looking to be explosive and efficient," Smith said. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's simplistic, fast-paced offenses have evolved in recent years, and he should give Smith the freedom to call audibles at the line of scrimmage. The 34-year-old Smith threw for a career-high 4,320 yards on 578 attempts in 2024, which ranked fourth-most in the league. He also had a career-high 15 interceptions. Smith was very accurate last year, but he won't have the volume in Vegas and doesn't have the kind of weapons through the air he had in Seattle. Still, Smith will be relevant in two-QB leagues in 2025.

Wednesday, May 28, 11:59 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph opened OTAs with the first-team offense on Tuesday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. This news isn't much of a surprise, but it does confirm head coach Mike Tomlin's vision as full-team practices get underway this summer. Presumably, the starting quarterback job is Rudolph's to lose, barring an external quarterback addition such as Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins. Rudolph's internal competition comes from Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard. Thompson has completed just 58.7 percent of his career passes with one touchdown, three interceptions, and two fumbles. He primarily served as a backup over three seasons in Miami. Meanwhile, Howard is a rookie who impressed at Ohio State, but he has suboptimal draft capital as a sixth-round pick. On the other hand, Rudolph has shown flashes of potential during his time with the Steelers (2018-2023) and Titans (2024). In Tennessee last year, he completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions.