Steelers Ignite QB Mason Rudolph Trade Talks Amid Renewed Interest

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation is going to continue to dominate headlines until it gets solved. For the 2025 season, Pittsburgh went out and got Aaron Rodgers. Then in 2026, the Steelers liked Rodgers’ services so much that they played a waiting game to see if he would want to finish his NFL career with one final ride in Pittsburgh.

Sure enough, that’s what Rodgers elected to do, and now he’s going to be teaming back up with his former head coach in Mike McCarthy. After Rodgers, that’s where things truly get interesting for the Steelers. Steeler Nation is desperate to figure out who the future of the QB position is going to be for this franchise. In the 2026 draft, Pittsburgh used their third-round pick to select Drew Allar, and he now joins 2025 sixth-round QB Will Howard as two potential options. It will be a long road for either player to win the starting job, but they are options.

Many Steelers fans would like to see Howard or Allar start working toward the backup role as soon as the 2026 season, but veteran Mason Rudolph is set behind Rodgers. That’s why many believe he could be traded, as it just makes more sense for the future to get a return on him and start developing the young guys. During the latest episode of The Yinziders, Steelers insider Jenna Harner told Mike DeFabo something regarding a possible trade of Rudolph.

"I think that come training camp, if another team’s QB or backup QB gets injured, I think Mason Rudolph is a very prime trade target," Harner told Mike DeFabo. "Again, need is always crucial and the Steelers have -- we are starting the backup QB convo now. We still have a couple weeks until training camp but let’s get this going here. This will make the Steelers decision on who that backup is going to be a lot easier."

There has been plenty of debate and discourse surrounding a potential Rudolph trade. 

So far, it doesn’t seem like the Steelers have had much interest, but as Harner pointed out, it just takes the right opportunity.

"This is a decision they know they have to make," Harner said. "This is part of the job but I think if another team loses a QB or a backup to injury, I think Mason Rudolph remains a very prime tradable asset."

DeFabo jumped in and agreed that if nothing else the Steelers will be getting plenty of calls regarding Rudolph, a quarterback who could potentially steady the ship for one season in a desperate situation.

With training camp approaching, the Steelers’ quarterback situation remains one of the most closely watched storylines in the football world. Even with Rodgers firmly in place as the starter, the conversation around depth, development, and long-term planning continues to follow the team. That naturally keeps Rudolph’s name circulating in trade discussions as teams around the league evaluate their own quarterback rooms.

Steelers Appear To Be In No Rush Regarding Rudolph

At the same time, the attention is increasingly shifting toward Howard and Allar as the Steelers begin to think about the future. Both young quarterbacks represent developmental options who will need time to grow into the system and adjust to the NFL level. Their progression could play a major role in how the Steelers ultimately structure the depth chart behind Rodgers and whether the team feels comfortable moving on from a veteran presence like Rudolph.

Ultimately, Pittsburgh’s decision may come down less to urgency and more to timing and value. If the right opportunity presents itself, moving Rudolph could make sense for both roster flexibility and future assets. Until then, the Steelers appear content to let the situation develop while keeping all options on the table.

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