Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or Cam Ward

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.

Wednesday, June 25, 12:32 PM

ESPN's Turron Davenport writes that Tennessee Titans rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward is already emerging as a leader heading into his first season in the NFL. Ward organized a group of rookie receivers to come into the building at 5 am for film study and hasn't been hesitant to tell a veteran wideout how he wants a route run. Additionally, the first overall pick has bounced back quickly from his mistakes during offseason workouts. "It certainly didn't shy him away from throws," head coach Brian Callahan said. "You want to see a guy just kind of get ready and throw it again." The 23-year-old is certainly showing maturity early on, but whether it translates to immediate production on the field when games count will be another story. With limited options beyond receiver Calvin Ridley to throw to, Ward is expected to have an up-and-down rookie season, especially since he's not much of a runner.