Steelers See One Fringe Player's Trade Value Skyrocket

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base was disappointed to hear that rookie quarterback Will Howard would likely miss the entire 2025 preseason. There is still a chance Howard could return and get into a game, but for now, the attention has shifted to Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the quarterback room. On Saturday night, in the Steelers’ 31-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mason Rudolph started at quarterback and looked sharp early.

Rudolph threw a beautiful touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington and finished the night completing 9 of 10 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown. It was a clean and efficient performance that helped set the tone for the game.

It was Skylar Thompson who played the majority of the snaps however, and he certainly made the most of his opportunity. Thompson had recently slipped down the depth chart after Howard overtook him for the third string role behind Rudolph, but Howard’s injury opened the door for Thompson to reclaim his spot.

Thompson delivered a strong showing, completing 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Most importantly, he protected the football by committing no interceptions or turnovers. It was the kind of performance that can make coaches take notice. Thompson had a big time game against the Jaguars and it may have helped the Steelers as well.

For a player who had been somewhat forgotten in the Steelers’ deep quarterback room, Thompson reminded everyone of his capabilities. His experience in the league, including a playoff start for the Miami Dolphins, gives him added value compared to many backup quarterbacks.

While Thompson has struggled at times as a starter in the NFL, he has consistently managed to hang around the league. Saturday night’s outing could spark trade interest from quarterback-needy teams and potentially make him a valuable piece of trade bait for the Steelers.

His performance also creates an intriguing dilemma for Pittsburgh once Howard returns. The Steelers are unlikely to risk putting Howard on the practice squad, but Thompson’s resurgence makes the depth chart conversation much more complicated.

Steelers Could Try To Trade Quarterback Skylar Thompson

It may have been just one preseason game, but it was enough to make things interesting. Steelers fans were disappointed not to see Howard, but they might still get their wish in the final preseason matchup. Until then, Thompson’s name is one to watch closely. The Steelers have Rodgers locked in for the 2025 season.

Rodgers has indicated that this will likely be his only season in Pittsburgh before retirement, though plans can always change. Thompson is a veteran quarterback, and the Steelers probably do not see him as part of their long-term future. That is why the team might explore the idea of trading him to a team in need of experienced quarterback depth.

While Thompson may not fetch a high return in a trade, he is now an asset the Steelers can use. If he builds on this preseason performance and continues to deliver strong outings, his trade value could rise. Although one preseason game is unlikely to be a major game-changer, Thompson’s strong showing definitely caught attention and put the Steelers’ front office on notice. 

Now it will be interesting to watch and see if General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone to try and test the market for Thompson. Khan himself has always said he will never ignore a chance to improve the roster now and in the future. Well, if Thompson continues to flash those moments, it could be a way for Pittsburgh to take advantage of having him in town. They might even end up with extra draft capital if they traded him.

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