Mason Rudolph Starting 2nd Preseason Game a Great Sign Steelers Favor Him Over Josh Dobbs

The Steelers are experimenting with the backup quarterback position this preseason, with a new starter named Thursday's preseason game against the Chiefs.

Mason Rudolph will get the start Saturday against Kansas City in hopes of impressing enough to earn the backup gig in for the regular season.

Josh Dobbs got the start in the Steelers' 30-28 win over the Buccaneers in their first preseason game, but both played well in that game. Dobbs went 5-for-8 with 85 yards and picked up 44 yards on the ground as well. Meanwhile, Rudolph was 5-for-8 with 91 yards and two touchdown passes.

Rudolph receiving the start in Week 2 could just be the Steelers wanting a better look at the second-year signal caller from Oklahoma State, or it could mean the 24-year-old has a leg up on Dobbs for the backup job.

Ben Roethlisberger isn't getting any younger, and despite signing an extension with the Steelers this offseason, it's important for the team to have a developed arm waiting in the wings.

This preseason is the first step towards either Dobbs or Rudolph grabbing that future job, but for now they'll be competing for clipboard duty. If Rudolph can impress again on Saturday night, he may start running away with the role.