We’re just a few hours away from there being football on TV every week from now until February. The Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face off tonight in the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
Now, this is just a glorified exhibition game as it holds almost no merit whatsoever. However, former Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph got the starting nod and it’s an important game in that sense because he’s trying to prove to Pittsburgh management he’s got what it takes to take over the quarterback spot once Ben Roethlisberger retires.
"That's my goal, to be a starting quarterback in this league and for our team, and I'm working toward that goal every single day," Rudolph said in an interview in June when asked about taking over for Ben Roethlisberger. "I can only control myself and the way I prepare and the way I approach and play in OTAs and [training] camp, and that's on the forefront of my mind.”
It was announced this week Rudolph will play a majority of the first half against Dallas, with Dwayne Haskins taking most of the snaps in the second half.
With Roethlisberger playing will most likely be his final season in the NFL, Rudolph is in a prime position to take over the starting role in 2022. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Steelers back in April and will be the only quarterback who will be under contract through the 2022 season. However, this season will be very telling for whether or not that happens.
Rudolph is entering his fourth year in the NFL and has only played in 15 games. He’s completed nearly 62% of his passes for 2,089 yards and with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
