The Pittsburgh Steelers published their latest “Asked and Answered” column, addressing several questions from fans about the team’s recent preseason decisions, roster moves, and NFL rules.
In response to a question about whether Skylar Thompson should have played against Carolina’s first- and second-string defenses for a more direct comparison with Mason Rudolph, the answer suggested there was no true competition for the backup quarterback role. “My opinion is that Mason Rudolph was being prepared for the job as Aaron Rodgers’ backup for the 2025 season, and Skylar Thompson was being evaluated to determine whether he could make the grade as a No. 3 quarterback for the Steelers in 2025,” it stated. The answer also referenced Rudolph’s performance at the end of the 2023 season when he led Pittsburgh to three straight wins and a playoff berth.
Another fan asked if Thompson had outperformed Rudolph in preseason play and questioned whether he might become Rodgers’ backup. The response dismissed this possibility: “I agree that the Steelers are not going to make Skylar Thompson the backup QB to Aaron Rodgers in 2025. And they shouldn’t. It would be foolish.” The column detailed Rudolph’s preseason statistics—18 completions on 23 attempts (78.3 percent) for 166 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and an 89.5 rating—and noted his experience as a regular-season starter contributed to him retaining his position as backup.
A question about NFL rules regarding safeties clarified that if a ballcarrier steps out of bounds inside his own end zone following an offensive play that began in the field of play, it results in a safety due to a deliberate act by the offense. For defensive players intercepting passes in their own end zone, only certain deliberate actions could result in a safety.
The scoring of a particular defensive play during Pittsburgh’s game against Carolina was also explained using details from the official game summary: Yahya Black recorded a sack and forced fumble on Bryce Perkins; after Perkins recovered but fumbled again while running, Eku Leota forced another fumble which Mark Robinson recovered.
Regarding offensive lineman Dylan Cook’s roster status following penalties against Carolina, it was noted that final decisions would be made by cutdown day at 4 p.m., but Cook’s spot may be affected by veteran Andrus Peat’s addition due to Peat’s versatility at guard and tackle since joining earlier this month.
When asked about acquiring another wide receiver through waivers before roster cuts finalize across teams—a process governed by previous season records—the response indicated such high-caliber players are rarely available via waivers: “the kind of player who could qualify as a No. 2 WR in the NFL is not found on the waiver wire.”
The column also addressed why training camp lengths have changed over time, citing clauses within the Collective Bargaining Agreement that limit camp duration based on timing relative to each team’s first preseason game.
Finally, pronunciation guidance was offered for Latrobe (commonly said “Lay-trobe” by locals), reflecting local custom rather than an official standard.
