Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or Dillon Gabriel

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, 8:21 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel appears to be a longshot to win the starting gig to begin the season. Zac Jackson of The Athletic believes there's really no scenario where Gabriel wins the No. 1 spot on Day 1. This news shouldn't really shock anyone as Gabriel was a third-round pick during this year's draft. It's not often that third-round quarterbacks get to start under center Day 1, but that doesn't mean Gabriel is doomed. Both Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders have uphill battles ahead of themselves heading into training camp. It looks like it's going to be a four-quarterback battle between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Sanders, and Gabriel. Both rookie quarterbacks are worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect them to be relevant for Week 1.