3 takeaways from the Steelers bold 2022 draft choices
The Steelers will cut or trade Mason Rudolph
Whether you like or hate the addition of Kenny Pickett, you will have time to eat crow or gloat, depending on what happens when the season starts this fall. Regardless probably, a lot of people may have been surprised by the selection of Chris Oladokun, the quarterback from South Dakota State.
Had Dwayne Haskins not been involved in a horrible tragedy earlier in the off-season, it’s possible, depending on how the pre-season played out, either he or Rudolph may have been out the door as the Steelers still planned on selecting a quarterback. There is still some question as to if Pittsburgh still had Haskins, would that have influenced whom the Steelers chose? Probably not, but we will never know.
Sure, Kevin Colbert said they would go into training camp with four quarterbacks. Of course, it seemed more likely that the Steelers would sign an undrafted free agent than someone in round 7. Considering they took that approach, it almost leads one to think the Steelers, in some capacity, are planning to move on from Mason Rudolph.
Regardless of whether Pittsburgh starts Trubisky or Pickett, the other is the immediate backup. Hence, Rudolph, unless Pickett or Trubisky completely flops for some bizarre reason, is now the third-string quarterback. Of course, with Oladokun now on the roster, it makes Rudolph expendable to a large degree.
If Rudolph is expendable, do the Steelers deal him ahead of pre-season? More than likely not. However, even before the season starts, a quarterback will either get injured in training camp or a pre-season game and might need a potential backup, allowing the Steelers to acquire a draft pick in an upcoming draft.
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These are all things to look at as the season progresses. Will the Steelers line improve with the free-agent additions? Is Stephon Tuitt’s career-ending? What will happen with Mason Rudolph? All of these questions will have an answer, but not immediately. How the pre-season plays out will give us some indications, in any case.