Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or Jaxson Dart

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, June 27, 12:52 PM

New York Giants rookie first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart had an "excellent" spring, according to head coach Brian Daboll. During offseason workouts, Dart confirmed the team's decision to trade back into the first round to select him, as Daboll was impressed with the way the Ole Miss product processed and retained information. However, it wasn't all good, as Dart also held onto the ball too long at times. The 22-year-old started taking spring reps with the third-team offense but was working with the second team two weeks in, behind Russell Wilson but ahead of Jameis Winston. The presence Wilson means that Dart will most likely be given time to develop in 2025, but there's a chance he makes starts later this year if Wilson tanks. The 6-foot-2, 224-pounder's rushing ability in college might not translate to the NFL, and he doesn't have any elite characteristics. Dart is merely a stash in dynasty/keeper formats in 2025.