Cardinals Calling Steelers To Trade For Mason Rudolph Gains Even More Legitimate Steam

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a pretty complicated quarterback room. Aaron Rodgers will officially be the starter after signing a one-year deal; however, the rest of the depth chart is confusing because it includes two young and developing signal-callers as well as a reliable veteran. Typically, only three will make the 53-man roster, so it is anyone's guess as to who the odd man out will be come September. There is always the chance that one could get traded as well, even though that outcome seems less likely unless another franchise gets desperate sometime soon.

There is one situation over in the NFC that is worth monitoring for Pittsburgh. The Arizona Cardinals have some drama internally at the moment as Jacoby Brissett wants to get a big payday after having a successful 2025 season. According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, the organization and quarterback are nowhere near close in contract talks.

"After months of negotiating, quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals are still not close to reaching an agreement on a reworked deal for this season," Weinfuss wrote. "A source told ESPN that the two sides are "significantly" far apart."

It makes sense for Arizona to be playing hardball in this situation. Brissett likely isn't worth a massive amount of money, especially given the fact that the Cardinals selected a quarterback in the third round and are expected to be very much in play for a Top 5 pick in 2027 based on the current makeup of the roster. Weinfuss provided some more context about the current financials.

"Brissett has not attended any of the Cardinals voluntary OTAs or the voluntary offseason program as he waits for a new contract for 2026, the second year of a two-year deal he signed in March 2025," Weinfuss noted. "His deal currently pays him $4.88 million, with the potential to grow to $5.39 million, of which just $1.5 million is guaranteed. By comparison, Gardner Minshew II, whom Arizona signed as a free agent in March, had $5.14 million guaranteed by the team for 2026."

If the Steelers are truly committed to developing and working with both Will Howard and Drew Allar, shopping Mason Rudolph and his $4.62 million cap hit to Arizona could make all the sense in the world. A move like this probably would not be made until well into the summertime; however, it is going to remain as something to watch because of how far apart Brissett and the Cardinals seem to be.

Another fascinating tidbit was brought up by Weinfuss. Arizona committed to Brissett as its starter back in March. It might have been the wrong decision by the front office, specifically because it immediately put the quarterback in the driver's seat to demand a more lucrative contract. First-string signal-callers, especially veterans, are not making $1.5 million guaranteed.

"A source told ESPN earlier this offseason that Brissett has been informed by the Cardinals that he is their starting quarterback. That was a shift from March, right after Murray was released, when Brissett had not been told he was the starter-in-waiting, according to the source."

Rudolph is a very respectable veteran who has played in big moments in the past. Who knows how Brissett's situation will eventually come to an end, but the Steelers have to be considering at least inquiring about what a deal with the former third-round pick could look like.

Steelers Have To See More Of Howard And Allar Before Trading Rudolph

Rudolph getting dealt isn't going to happen in May, but it could be something that finds some traction later on. Injuries elsewhere are always situations to look out for, but the Cardinals' current problem is another conflict for the Steelers to pay attention to. With Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck as the other two on Arizona's roster, Rudolph would have an opportunity to earn a starting role if the team does refuse to pay Brissett.

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