Steelers' Mason Rudolph Reveals Obvious Frustration Surrounding Quarterback Situations In The AFC

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have a four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback at their disposal in Aaron Rodgers. The veteran has had an up and down opening month of the 2025 NFL season, mainly due to the overall performance of the team's offensive line. Despite that, the Steelers currently find themselves standing alone at the top of the AFC North with a record of 3-1 and will have an excellent opportunity to further pad their lead in the division over the next two weeks.

The Steelers are the only team in the AFC North that have yet to have a legitimate issue at the quarterback position. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined with a long-term injury earlier in the season, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has dealt with an ongoing hamstring injury that could result in him missing Baltimore's Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Cleveland recently traded veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the Bengals and the Browns will now turn to an inexperienced rookie in Dillon Gabriel to lead the way on offense for the rest of the season.

With quarterback issues continuing to circulate around the AFC, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently revealed a conversation he had with the backup quarterback for Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph.

"It's not a pretty situation," Kaboly stated. "I looked at Rudolph yesterday and said, 'Do you ever count the teams that you could be starting for right now?' And he glared at me."

Kaboly continued to talk about a potential fit for Rudolph, as the insider claims the Steelers' backup quarterback would start on multiple teams in the AFC.

"Pretty much every team in the AFC North, and there's a bunch of other ones too," said Kaboly.

Rudolph has spent the majority of his six-year career in Pittsburgh. He had a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans that was extremely underwhelming last season, but he found his way back to the Steel City in the 2025 offseason. The veteran could still prove to be a solid starting option for a number of different teams around the AFC as Kaboly indicated, and Rudolph could possibly end up in the middle of trade talks as starting quarterbacks around the entire NFL continue to succumb to injuries.

The Steelers would turn to rookie quarterback Will Howard and/or veteran Skylar Thompson as backup options should Rudolph be on the move. Howard is a promising first-year player who was a star on the college level at Ohio State, but the talented quarterback has dealt with a finger injury suffered in training camp for the majority of the season. Thompson is a rising quarterback that played at an extremely high level throughout the 2025 preseason, and the former seventh-round pick may prove to be a solid backup option if necessary.

Steelers' Front Office Could Be Hesitant To Trade Rudolph

Rudolph would absolutely prove to be a solid starting option on a number of different teams in the AFC currently. Pittsburgh could be reluctant to move the veteran however, as Rodgers is 41 years old and in his 21st NFL season. Rudolph is currently the next man up if Rodgers were to go down and Pittsburgh could opt to keep him on the roster due to the uncertainties of having the oldest player in the league at the quarterback position.

The Steelers' offensive line struggles early on in the season could play a role in keeping Rudolph as well. Pittsburgh's offensive line has struggled to begin the year, but has slowly improved as the season rolls on, and limiting the amount of hits Rodgers takes could play a direct role in Rudolph's future with the team. Pittsburgh will host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as Rodgers will look to pick up right where he left off two weeks ago in Ireland.

Do you think Rudolph could start elsewhere in the league? Comment below!

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