Who Should I Start? Mason Rudolph or Zach Wilson

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.

Sunday, March 30, 7:49 PM

Last week, Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson told the Associated Press that he still believes he can start. "I still believe I can be a starter in this league whenever that opportunity comes, and so I just try to put myself in the best situation...and do the absolute best that I can." It hasn't panned out for the 25-year-old since the New York Jets selected him second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Wilson was abysmal during his time as a Jet, but the team didn't do him any favors. After spending 2024 as a Bronco under head coach Sean Payton, the BYU product claims he learned much despite not seeing the field and plans to continue learning more under new head coach Mike McDaniel. "What's not to like?" he said. "You've seen how Tua's development has gone since he's been there. I'm just excited to be with those guys." Ideally, the Dolphins won't need to call upon Wilson's services in 2025. Though, if they do, it appears his confidence has grown in leaps and bounds.