Roethlisberger criticizes decision to draft Mason Rudolph

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be the starter for however long he desires, but he's not exactly thrilled about his newest competition.

Roethlisberger was considering retirement prior to the 2017 season but told the Steelers in January that he plans to play for the foreseeable future.

The team selected fellow quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Roethlisberger was unimpressed and a bit dismayed by the pick.

"I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third round, you can get some really good football players that can help this team now," Roethlisberger told "Cook and Poni" of KDKA Pittsburgh on Friday. "And nothing against Mason, I think he's a great football player ... I just don't know how backing up or being the third guy, who knows where he's going to fall on the depth chart ... helps us win now."

Roethlisberger added that he feels "the worst" for the Steelers' backup quarterbacks, Joshua Dobbs and Landry Jones.

"I'll be honest, I wasn't worried about (Rudolph) coming and taking my job," Roethlisberger said. "I feel confident that I can go out and beat whoever I need to beat out for my job. ... I do feel bad for those guys.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I assume Landry's still the two, I don't really know. And Josh, same thing. Last year you take him in the fourth round, so does that mean the Steelers screwed up in that pick? Like do they think that he wasn't the one that they thought, or has he not developed the way they thought? Why else would you take a quarterback in the third round the next year?"