Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins vow to be good fits for Matt Canada's Steelers offense

Matt Canada, by all indications, will have a second season in which to deploy his offense as coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The man who currently has the best chance to be entrusted putting Canada’s vision into action has pledged to be a more captive audience than his predecessor.

“I’m fully willing to surrender to what Matt wants to do,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said, “and do the best job.”

Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins were told they would be able to compete to be the Steelers starting quarterback in 2022, the first season the team will enter without Ben Roethlisberger since Roethlisberger was drafted in 2004.

Roethlisberger had spent 14 prior years with Randy Fichtner as a coach, confidant and coordinator (the latter from 2018-20) before Canada took over the offense in 2021 with mixed results.

As a (possible) newly minted NFL starter, Rudolph acknowledged he doesn’t have the ability nor desire to “pull rank” that a 39-year-old like Roethlisberger might.

“Not being an 18-year established quarterback, I’m not going to have the luxury of ‘Yeah, these are some of the concepts I like; I want them to be called,’ ” Rudolph said during a video conference call with media Wednesday. “You don’t have that much pull as a younger quarterback, and I get that.”

Mason Rudolph can’t help but smile when asked what it means to be given a legit opportunity to be a starting NFL QB pic.twitter.com/9Fsf4RtJQd

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 19, 2022

There is no guarantee Rudolph or Haskins will be the Steelers starting quarterback in Week 1 next fall — and even if one is, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be by the end of the season. The Steelers are likely to add to their quarterbacks room via the draft and/or free agency.

And while plenty must play out before the identity of those individuals is known, it is safe to say the characteristics of any quarterback(s) in 2022 will be more in line with the schematics Canada likes. For example, it’s no knock on future Hall of Famer Roethlisberger to say that it’s a certainty that whoever starts at quarterback for the Steelers next year will have more mobility than he did this past season. That’s the reality of being 39 with 18 years worth of NFL tread on the tires.

“(Quarterback mobility) is something I feel like (coach Mike Tomlin) thinks can add another dynamic to this offense,” Haskins said. “Having known Coach Canada — I played against him in college — he does a lot of different things. There are QB runs, and the quarterback on the move. You are heavily involved in the RPO (run-pass option) game, as well.”

Dwayne Haskins on how increased mobility at QB (pretty much anyone other than a 39-yr-old) will help Matt Canada’s offense shine thru pic.twitter.com/AeNd98IET3

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 19, 2022

Neither Haskins nor Rudolph will be confused with speedsters Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray. They aren’t even as nimble or as skilled on the run as, say, a Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes.

But both can move enough to function in modern offenses as each showed as stars in college at Ohio State (Haskins) and Oklahoma State (Rudolph).

“Extending the play to throw the times that you need to, getting it done with your legs, that excites me,” Rudolph said. “I enjoy that. I think you saw that this year, sparingly, when I had the opportunity enough. I want to continue to do that when it’s needed in the future, and I know that’s a part of Matt Canada’s offense. It’s obviously something Coach Tomlin looks for in a quarterback.”

The offense is about more than just running around or moving in the pocket, of course. Both returning quarterbacks who repped and practiced it all season saw things they liked.

“I enjoy (Canada’s) offense,” Rudolph said. “I enjoy the jet-motion, the pre-snap. I think it helps us disguise. I know we fell short in a lot of offensive categories (in 2021), and we need to improve … but I enjoy Matt. I think we have a good relationship and a good relationship with (quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan). I enjoy working with those guys, and I’m excited to get back to work.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.