Diontae Johnson Does Not Endorse Mason Rudolph as Steelers' Next Quarterback

Typically, when you have an emerging star at wide receiver, you would like for them to be supportive of the team's plans at quarterback. That might not necessarily be the case with Diontae Johnson and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are planning for life after Ben Roethlisberger. 

The Steelers might be planning to move forward with Mason Rudolph

Apparently, the Steelers want to move forward with Mason Rudolph as their quarterback for 2022, for some reason. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, “all signs point” to Rudolph as their starting quarterback in 2022. 

Let’s be very clear here — this is not a report based on new information. This is a beat writer making an educated guess as to the nature of the quarterback position based on his familiarity with the Steelers franchise. 

The Steelers signed Rudolph to a one-year extension through 2022, and without a bevy of free agent quarterbacks to choose from an in a draft class that is lacking the pomp and circumstance of the 2021 class, Kaboly is making his claim that he believes the Steelers will enter training camp with Rudolph as the lead quarterback, unless they add a high-end quarterback via trade.

Back on January 1st, BetSided's Iain MacMillan set odds for who will start Week 1 of the 2022 season for the Steelers, with Rudolph coming in as the early favorite at +150 odds.

Diontae Johnson doesn’t sound thrilled about Mason Rudolph as QB1

Johnson has been an unsung hero for the last couple season, developing into one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He was tied for second in the NFL this season in targets with Davante Adams (169), trailing only Cooper Kupp. Johnson doesn’t appear to be thrilled with who the Steelers currently have in-house to replace Roethlisberger. 

“Whoever they bring in,” Johnson said twice when asked about the quarterback situation. 

I don’t blame him.

Rudolph hasn’t shown much reason for optimism in his backup duties. In 17 regular season appearances, Rudolph has completed 61.5% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In Week 10, Rudolph played the lowly Detroit Lions (who will be better next season, but I digress) and averaged only 4.8 yards per pass attempt with one touchdown and one interception. He needed 50 pass attempts to compile 242 passing yards. The Steelers and the Lions tied.

If Rudolph truly is the plan for 2022, then the Steelers are officially tanking and rebuilding, and there will be a mass exodus of veteran talent from the roster.