Who will back up Ben Roethlisberger in 2019: Mason Rudolph or Joshua Dobbs?
Right now, nobody knows — not the fans, not the media, not the coaches ... and certainly not the players themselves.
"In this situation, you never know when your opportunity is going to come, but you have to be ready for it," Dobbs was telling our Dale Lolley earlier this offseason at the Rooney Complex. "It keeps your mind mentally tough in a different area.”
“Everyone on this team loves competition," Rudolph added when speaking to our Dejan Kovacevic. "That’s why we’re here. Obviously, my plan is to be the backup, and I’m going to do everything in my power to take care of that and earn it every single day. That’s my plan. It’s the same preparation every single day. You just gotta come out here and be consistent.”
Where that consistency is concerned, only one thing is locked in now: Roethlisberger will start every game, health willing. While the No. 2 spot is very much up-for-grabs, Roethlisberger's role as the leader of the team is unquestioned — which makes him a useful authority on the subject of Dobbs vs. Rudolph.
Asked how he's seen both those players develop during their time with the Steelers, Roethlisberger shared his thoughts.
“I think [they're both] more comfortable, especially Mason," Roethlisberger was telling reporters at the Rooney Complex. "Obviously your first year, your head’s probably spinning a little bit trying to learn things. You see him settling into it a lot, understanding he’s not afraid to step up to whatever group, to whatever receiver. I think in the past you might have felt a little hesitancy to throw to certain guys, and now they’re stepping in ready to go."
After zeroing in on Rudolph's growth specifically, Roethlisberger turned to last year's backup, Dobbs.
"And Josh just continues to grow," Roethlisberger said. "A guy that’s definitely more understanding, more comfortable in this offense. It’s fun watching him grow.”
Last season, Dobbs saw live action when Roethlisberger went down with minor injuries against the Ravens and Raiders. He also came onto the field late in a 52-21 Steelers blowout of the Panthers. Across those games, Dobbs went 6 for 12 for 43 yards and an interception. While those numbers don't inspire massive confidence, Dobbs did complete a 22-yard zinger to JuJu Smith-Schuster in a clutch situation against the Ravens. Plays like that, he says, keep him motivated and focused on the task at hand.
"It’s kind of like that golf shot theory," Dobbs said. "You always go back to the course. You might suck all day, but it’s that one shot that keeps you coming back. I had that opportunity to make a play. It keeps you coming back for more. It keeps you focused. In this situation, you never know when your opportunity is going to come, but you have to be ready for it. It keeps your mind mentally tough in a different area.”
Regardless of who ultimately gets the call for the backup spot, Roethlisberger makes one guarantee: Everyone's working to bring Lombardi Trophy No. 7 to Pittsburgh.
“It’s an awesome challenge for all of us, to get to know each other, to learn, to do everything we can to be the best," Roethlisberger said. "Because that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do is win championships. And in order to do that, we’re all going to have to be at our best.”
HUNTER'S VIEW
While it'd be a stretch to say Roethlisberger is definitely favoring one player over the other, there's been a stronger feeling of anticipation for Rudolph than for Dobbs — from Roethlisberger and from others. With Dobbs, it feels like we've seen what he can do. There is some potential and some big-play ability, but overall, he's not a trustworthy starter at this level.
With Rudolph, however, the flashes have been stronger. He has the size, the style and the pedigree. He says and does all the right things in practice. Should he take the expected steps with his development throughout Training Camp and the preseason, I fully expect him to seize the No. 2 spot for the 2019 season.
