Mason Rudolph News: Struggles in preseason start

Rudolph completed six of eight passes for 36 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, in a 19-10 preseason loss to Carolina on Thursday.

The Steelers played most of their starters for three drives, but they held out QB Aaron Rodgers and WR DK Metcalf, giving Rudolph a chance to play with the first-team offense and throw to a rotating cast of wide receivers. Rudolph failed to produce even a field goal attempt on three drives, while fellow Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson concluded his strong preseason with 152 yards and a TD on 13 pass attempts Thursday night. Rudolph was considered safe in his backup job earlier this summer, especially after sixth-round pick Will Howard suffered a hand injury, but the Steelers may now want to keep Thompson around or even consider moving him ahead of Rudolph. Either way, Aaron Rodgers will start Week 1 against the Jets.