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With Dwayne Haskins getting the start at quarterback against the Panthers in the Steelers' preseason finale, and Mason Rudolph not playing, it would appear that Rudolph has the No. 2 quarterback position locked up. However, two longtime writers believe that it's Haskins' position to lose.
Former ESPN analyst John Clayton and Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider both believe that Haskins will be QB2 if he shows out against the Panthers on Friday night.
“He’s certainly more talented than Mason Rudolph," Clayton said this morning on 93.7 The Fan. “Mason Rudolph wasn’t a first-round pick, Haskins was . . . and he’s starting to show he can do it and he certainly got the confidence of Mike Tomlin.”
Clayton believes that it would take an abysmal performance by Haskins to lose the No. 2 quarterback spot, as he sees him being in the drivers seat.
“I think it’s pretty well set, unless he really screws up, he will get the backup job,” Clayton said.
Wexell tweeted, "Dwayne Haskins can steal the no. 2 job Friday night. After not having directed a TD drive this preseason, Mason Rudolph is vulnerable."
With Rudolph not even playing against Carolina, I would be surprised if Haskins leaped over him as the No. 2, unless the Steelers plan on trading Rudolph for a late-round pick. Similar to what they did with Josh Dobbs in 2019. I just think the Steelers are taking things really slow with Haskins and preparing him to possibly take over for Ben Roethlisberger in 2022. Of course, that's if Big Ben decides to hang it up after this year.