Tomlin: Depth chart remains 'very fluid' for QB Mason Rudolph, other Steelers players

The depth chart Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin unveiled Tuesday is similar to the one he provided at the beginning of the preseason.

Veterans Donte Moncrief, Mark Barron and Steve Nelson are starters at their respective positions. First-round pick Devin Bush is listed as a backup to Barron at inside linebacker. Second-year receiver James Washington is the backup to Moncrief. Matt Feiler remains the first-team right tackle.

One change to the preseason depth chart exists at quarterback, where Mason Rudolph leapfrogged Joshua Dobbs and will be Ben Roethlisberger’s backup.

“He took very good care of the ball,” Tomlin said about Rudolph, who had four touchdown passes and one interception in four preseason games. “He showed the natural maturation process you expect from second-year players. … He showed a guy that has been a lap around the track in that regards. He set the stage for a more consistent performance. I think he’s grown a lot in terms of his understanding of how we attack people and his role within the offense. It showed in his play.”

Tomlin said the pecking order at backup quarterback and other positions remains “very fluid.”

“There is no opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief,” Tomlin said. “It won’t be for Mason, it won’t be for any of us. He better earn that second quarterback job daily. If not, Dobbs will be waiting.”