Kevin Colbert: Mason Rudolph in line to be Steelers QB 'if the season started today'

As they have historically, the Pittsburgh Steelers will take four quarterbacks to training camp in July.

Aside from Mason Rudolph and most likely Dwayne Haskins, general manager Kevin Colbert doesn’t know the identity of the other two competitors and whether they will be a mix of veterans or rookies.

He just knows that for the first time since 2004, the Steelers won’t have Ben Roethlisberger around to lead the offense.

“With Ben’s retirement, it’s a different agenda as we enter into this offseason,” Colbert said Monday.

Rudolph has the most experience with the Steelers and is 5-4-1 as a starter. Haskins is a former first-round pick but had a 3-10 record in two seasons with Washington.

Colbert, who is stepping aside from his role after the NFL Draft, indicated the job is Rudolph’s to lose.

“We have confidence that if the season started today, Mason would be our starter,” Colbert said. “We’re excited to see where that can go. … We’re excited to see what is next for Mason.”

Haskins is a restricted free agent, but Colbert said the Steelers plan to give him a tender and expect him to compete for the job in training camp.

“He did some nice things throughout the season as our scout team quarterback, and he played some in the preseason,” Colbert said. “We’re excited to see what Dwayne can provide. Through competition, maybe he evolves as a starter. None of us knows at this point.

“It will be a great training camp for those two and for whatever player we are able to add to the mix.”

The Steelers’ personnel department and coaching staff will meet this week to go over the list of free agent possibilities. The Steelers also heavily scouted the rookie quarterback class at the Senior Bowl and will see the prospects again next week at the NFL Combine.

The fourth quarterback typically is viewed as an extra arm in camp, although Devlin “Duck” Hodges emerged from obscurity to start six games for the Steelers in 2019.

“If we come out of this period without a quarterback, we will have somebody else because we will have four,” Colbert said. “We know we will add to the position. I can’t tell you how at this point. But if we had to start the season today with Mason — let’s go.”

The draft class is headed by Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, a Heisman Trophy finalist. The Steelers, who hold the No. 20 overall pick, also met with Liberty’s Malik Willis as the Senior Bowl.

“There is good quality available,” Colbert said of the quarterback class. “Maybe not as many as recent years, but it is what it is.”

Colbert acknowledged the Steelers could trade for an established quarterback.

“We are going to look at every possible avenue,” he said, “as we do for every other position.”