First Call: Ben Roethlisberger's thoughts on Steelers drafting QB; Mason Rudolph works out with JuJu

Friday’s “First Call” looks at some quotes from Ben Roethlisberger about the talk that his team may draft a quarterback next week. Video of Mason Rudolph and JuJu Smith-Schuster working out together. A new Steelers draft candidate emerges at linebacker. And the latest on the Penguins-Capitals playoff series.

Huh?! The latest on the … what?!

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is saying all the right things about the notion that his team could select another quarterback in the draft next week.

Now then, what if they actually do it? I wonder if he’ll react a little better than he did when they drafted Mason Rudolph two years ago.

“That’s their prerogative,” Roethlisberger told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday. “That’s why they are the owners, the GMs and the coaches. We just play. It’s not going to change my mindset, my mentality, my motivation.”

Speaking of motivation, “Big Ben” says adding to the depth chart would be a moot point in that regard.

“I’m trying to come off an injury, so I’m going to give it everything I have,” he said. “If they go draft a quarterback with our first pick (in the second round), it’s not like it’s going to make me go out there and try to be any better because I’m already trying to do that anyway,” he said.

One of the things Roethlisberger didn’t like about the selection of Rudolph — at the time — was that he felt as if other needs could’ve been addressed, instead of creating competition for Landry Jones and Josh Dobbs.

“They have to do what they have to do,” Roethlisberger said. “We’ve got some quarterbacks on the roster, but if they feel like there’s a better one out there, then go get him.”

Well, if they do, I want to see if these quotes hold.

And for how long.

JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mason Rudolph were spotted working out together in Southern California.

And by spotted, I mean, it was on JuJu’s Instagram feed. ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor tweeted the video.

Looks like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mason Rudolph are working out together in California pic.twitter.com/iQ6ZVK68uF

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 16, 2020

Both players were grinding through injuries by the end of last year. So, hopefully, they’ll come back to Pittsburgh in good shape.

Whenever that may be.

Via SteelersWire.com, the Steelers had a predraft meeting with Cal linebacker Evan Weaver. It sounds like he could be a Tyler Matakevich replacement.

They conducted the meeting via FaceTime. The Bengals, Bears, Saints, Cardinals and Chargers were all allegedly interested as well.

KDKA TV is running an XBox “virtual reality” NHL playoff bracket. The Penguins are in the midst of a series against the Washington Capitals.

Bad news.

According to Richie Walsh during his sportscast Thursday night, the Capitals won Game 3, 5-2. The Penguins had won the first two contests.

Jared McCann scored in a losing effort. Alex Ovechkin put one by Matt Murray.

It looked a little soft to me. I’d expect virtual Tristan Jarry to get the virtual start in the virtual Game 4 even though virtual Murray won the first two virtual games.