Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter 6y

Rudolph, Dobbs add to complicated Steelers QB picture

PITTSBURGH -- So a third-round rookie playing like one and a second-year quarterback showing progress seems at least mildly expected for a second preseason game.

But the Pittsburgh Steelers' third-string quarterback picture was already complicated, and the performances of Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs in Thursday's 51-34 loss to the Green Bay Packers fuel more intrigue.

Put aside the double pick-sixes that nearly spoiled the young quarterback showcase. On their first throws of the game to open the first and second halves, Rudolph the starter and Dobbs telegraphed passes to the sideline that Packers corners Tramon Williams and Josh Jackson gladly undercut for easy trips to the house.

Those were survivable mistakes that didn't change the current dynamic in the quarterback room. Trusted veteran Landry Jones, who didn't play, isn't getting cut. Rudolph, who completed 5 of 12 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, was drafted for the future and most likely won't be cut. And Dobbs, perhaps the odd man out, just played like he really doesn't want to be cut, completing 12 of 18 passes for 192 yards and two scores.

Not sure what the Steelers do here. Place a guy on injured reserve? Hope one falls to the practice squad? Gauge trade value for Jones, who's probably too valuable to lose, or showcase Dobbs in an effort to get a pick for him?

Coach Mike Tomlin knows the numbers don't add up, and he alluded to a fun couple of weeks at his pregame news conference Tuesday.

"It's funny you talk about quarterback spots open like some of them are closed. That’s what we are doing here, that is the process of team development," Tomlin said. "We have four NFL-capable quarterbacks. Some teams keep two, some teams three, very rarely do teams keep four. Those are the variables. We’ll see where the road leads. More than anything I’m trying to create an environment where these guys have an opportunity to show what they are capable of and get better. So far, so good. I like the approach of the group. I’m not overthinking it, and I do not want any of those guys to overthink it. We’ll see where the road ends."

Rudolph carried momentum into his first NFL start. In Tuesday's practice, Rudolph outplayed Dobbs in a spirited two-minute drill, completing 6 of 7 passes with a touchdown to JuJu Smith-Schuster. Though Rudolph found Smith-Schuster on the same play for a 4-yard touchdown Thursday, it was Dobbs who made more plays under the lights.

Tomlin said at halftime that Rudolph and the first-team offense played tentatively and tried to be perfect instead of competing naturally. Rudolph never looked quite comfortable, going high on a few throws and taking three sacks. He's better than what he showed and teammates didn't help him out much. He's got the right demeanor and professionalism for the job. Still, no one's counting practice reps on game nights.

Meanwhile, Dobbs is showing he isn't going away in the race. He made good decisions and sparked a connection with Rudolph's guy James Washington, whose 114 yards on five catches accentuated his strong training camp.

Dobbs doesn't always look as good as he did Thursday and played against mostly second- and third-stringers, but it's hard to ignore his 11 completions on his first 14 throws for 181 yards. He welcomed the competition after the Steelers drafted Rudolph a year after selecting him in the fourth round. And now he's at least making things interesting.

With Ben Roethlisberger set to play the third preseason game, Tomlin must get creative to mix and match snaps for Jones and his younger players.

It seems Jones' presence is necessary for a contending team. If Roethlisberger gets hurt, Jones provides some stability.

What happens behind him will be fascinating, but it's a good problem to have for Tomlin and the Steelers.

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