Mark Madden: Steelers QB 'Duck' Hodges is the man ... for now

“Duck” Hodges is scripting an amazing tale.

But it won’t be the great American novel. More like a short story.

Hodges’ career is in its glory phase and denouement simultaneously. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next four games plus any playoff contests (fingers crossed) likely will be the only time in Hodges’ career he is any NFL team’s starting quarterback.

Hodges has less pedigree than any QB who will start in the NFL this week. He played FCS college ball, went undrafted and got cut by the Steelers in preseason. He was their No. 4 quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs.

But Dobbs got traded, Roethlisberger got hurt, Rudolph stinks and here we are.

Hodges has won both his starts and another game in relief. But the clock is ticking. Hodges could win the Super Bowl, and Roethlisberger would start Week 1 next season if his elbow heals. If it doesn’t, the Steelers will look for better than Hodges.

Hodges is starting because Rudolph went to pieces. Rudolph lost the job. Hodges didn’t beat anybody out.

Hodges has nothing to lose. That makes him very dangerous.

More dangerous than Baker Mayfield, whom Hodges beat this past Sunday. I’m thinking Keanu Reeves in “The Replacements.”

None of this is meant to insult. None of it is inaccurate, either.

A few nutty fans (Ben haters, no doubt) see Hodges as the Steelers’ future. But Hodges isn’t even likely to be Roethlisberger’s backup next year. He isn’t likely to be on any team’s 53-man roster. Hodges probably will be on a practice squad.

Right now is likely Hodges’ only chance. So far, he hasn’t killed the Steelers.

But, in every one of the Steelers’ remaining games, the opposing quarterback will be light years more talented. Hodges just beat one first overall pick. On Sunday, at Arizona, he’s got to beat another. Hodges already defeated a sure-bet Hall-of-Famer in Philip Rivers.

The matchup vs. the Cardinals seems promising. Arizona has the NFL’s worst pass defense. It allows an average of 307 yards per game. It has conceded 31 touchdown passes while intercepting just six balls. It’s allowed 60 pass plays of 20 yards or longer. The average opposition passer rating is 113.5.

Can Hodges exploit Arizona’s biggest weakness, especially with mostly third-stringers at the other skill positions? What if he can’t?

Hodges often rolls right under pressure, leaving his protection behind. Arizona has two top pass-rushers in Chandler Jones (13 sacks) and Terrell Suggs (5½). Will they get to Hodges? Will he desperately try to throw left-handed again? Yikes.

You can’t assume anything with Hodges. It could go horribly wrong.

But it hasn’t, not so far.

Hodges’ skill set and resume are minimal. But he’s got guts for days. He doesn’t check down constantly like Rudolph. Hodges tries to make plays. He’s capable of the occasional great throw, like his 30-yard touchdown to James Washington late in the first half this past Sunday. On the prior snap, he fired 28 yards to Tevin Jones.

Steelers radio analyst and former Pro Bowl lineman Tunch Ilkin says Hodges reminds him of Bubby Brister, a Steelers quarterback from 1986-92.

Perhaps that’s because Hodges, like Brister, wears No. 6. Or because both are good ol’ Southern boys or because each torques his entire body to make long throws. Like Hodges, Brister had confidence beyond his ability. He once told the media, “I’m the man. Write it down.”

But Brister had pedigree. He was a third-round pick. He started for three-and-a-half seasons.

But Brister’s record as a Steeler was 28-29. Hodges is 3-0.

Hodges is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame. He lit up the Jumbotron at Pitt’s basketball game Tuesday. He sang country songs on Instagram en route.

Hey, why not? It could all disappear in the wink of an eye.

In fact, it will.

But for the rest of this month, Hodges is the man. Write it down.