The Steelers' roster battles are beginning to take shape in Latrobe, and the early training camp signs point to Mason Rudolph and Roman Wilson as two of the clearest winners. With the first preseason game coming on Thursday night, both players appear to have improved their standing at important spots on the depth chart.
For a new coach inheriting the roster, this is the first proper chance to separate good practice work from real competition. The camps at Saint Vincent College are not just about building fitness and rhythm. They are also about deciding who can be trusted when the snaps start to matter.
Mike McCarthy was direct about Rudolph’s impact. He said Mason Rudolph would be the first one who jumped out, and added, “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with him.” McCarthy also noted that you really do not know until you are standing next to a quarterback or watching him on the field how each player throws the ball. That evaluation appears to have worked in Rudolph’s favour.
Before reporting to Latrobe, Rudolph’s QB2 chances were less strong than they are now. His camp form has strengthened the case for him to back up Aaron Rodgers, especially with the preseason opener offering another chance to show he belongs in the role.
Mason Rudolph is pushing his QB2 case
Rudolph’s value to the Steelers is not just that he has experience. It is that he has looked comfortable in a setting where clarity matters. If a veteran backup can handle the timing, the command and the pressure of being ready at short notice, that is a major help for any roster.
Rodgers has also noticed the improvement. He said Rudolph looks to be more dynamic, and that he is making plays while playing with confidence. That kind of endorsement matters, particularly when it comes from the starter and from a quarterback room where communication is a big part of the job.
Rudolph may not have locked anything up yet, but the direction of travel is clear. He has gone from a player whose QB2 outlook looked uncertain to one who has given the Steelers something real to think about before the games begin.
Roman Wilson is settling into the WR3 role
Wilson has had a different path, but the result is similar: a player moving up after a strong camp. After two underwhelming NFL seasons, he entered this training camp facing a crossroads. A year ago, he was a healthy scratch, so there was always a question about where he fitted and whether he could carve out a meaningful role.
That has changed in Latrobe. Brian Angelico said Wilson and Aaron Rodgers seem to be on the same page, with their communication lining up well with the concepts. Angelico also said Wilson has worked hard in his preparation and film study, and that he is playing with a quieter mind and a more relaxed approach.
McCarthy was equally positive, saying he loves Wilson’s ball skills, instincts and awareness. He added that Wilson has had a great offseason and is having a better training camp. Put simply, the WR3 battle now looks like a job Wilson has put himself in position to win.
That development matters because the Steelers need dependable options in three-receiver sets. Wilson’s progress suggests he is beginning to offer that reliability, which is exactly what a roster battle is supposed to reveal.
What comes next in the Steelers' evaluation?
The preseason opener on Thursday night should give the Steelers another layer of evidence. Camp is one thing, but games always sharpen the picture. Players who have already stood out now have to carry that form into live snaps.
For Rudolph, the question is whether he can turn a strong camp into a firm QB2 argument. For Wilson, it is whether his improved confidence and cleaner play can lock down the WR3 role. The battles are still unfolding, but both players have done enough to make the coaches take notice.
