Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or C.J. Stroud

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.

Friday, May 30, 8:31 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (pectoral) is not throwing during voluntary OTAs this week. Stroud watched from the sideline on Friday as he's currently nursing a minor pectoral injury. The organization has downplayed this injury. The Texans aren't concerned at all and believe Stroud will increase his activities next week. For now, Davis Mills will run the offense with the first unit until Stroud is feeling better. Fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned by this as it truly sounds like a minor issue. There is no reason for the Texans to have Stroud practice at less than 100 percent this early into camp.