Steelers Have A Great Option As Insurance At Quarterback If They Trade Mason Rudolph

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have a path to solve their crowded quarterback room without leaving themselves completely exposed behind Aaron Rodgers. It would require confidence in Will Howard, a trade market for Mason Rudolph, and a veteran safety net waiting on the outside.

Christopher Carter floated that possibility while discussing Pittsburgh’s quarterback depth on Locked On Steelers. The idea starts with Rudolph’s value. He may not be a franchise-changing quarterback, but experienced backups become more attractive once training camp injuries hit around the league.

“Mason Rudolph is one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL,” Carter said.

Rudolph’s experience is the reason the Steelers cannot dismiss him too quickly. He knows how to operate in real games, has been through pressure moments, and gives Pittsburgh a safer option if Rodgers misses time. The Steelers already know what he is. That can be comforting, but it can also limit the upside of the room if Howard proves ready for backup work.

Pittsburgh has been working through that question for months. Rudolph has been tied to trade speculation throughout the offseason, and his value has already been discussed as part of the Steelers’ larger quarterback-room decision. The challenge is finding a way to move him without leaving the roster one injury away from chaos.

Carter pointed to Cooper Rush as a possible answer. Rush is not a long-term solution, but his familiarity with Mike McCarthy gives the idea some logic. He played in McCarthy’s system with the Dallas Cowboys, so Pittsburgh would not be starting from scratch if it needed an emergency veteran later.

“You could stash Cooper Rush in your practice squad, hold on to him, promote him when you need to make moves there,” Carter said.

A practice-squad setup would not be flashy, but it could be practical. The Steelers could trade Rudolph if another team gets desperate, keep Howard as the backup, let Drew Allar develop, and still have Rush available as a desperate option. That structure would protect Pittsburgh from carrying four quarterbacks on the active roster while still preserving some veteran insurance.

The risk is obvious. Rush is available for a reason. He spent 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens and threw no touchdowns with four interceptions, according to NFL.com’s career stats. His 2024 season with Dallas was much cleaner, with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, but the Steelers would still be talking about an emergency plan rather than a player they want running the offense for long stretches.

The best version of this idea depends on Howard. If Howard looks overwhelmed in camp, Rudolph becomes harder to move. Pittsburgh cannot enter a win-now season with Rodgers and no trustworthy backup. If Howard looks ready, Rudolph’s value to another team may become more useful than his value as Pittsburgh’s extra insurance.

Allar’s presence complicates the math even further. The Steelers used a third-round pick on him, which makes him a developmental priority. Carrying Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard, and Allar on the 53-man roster would be a heavy allocation at one position. Keeping Rush on the practice squad after a Rudolph trade would give Pittsburgh a more flexible version of four-quarterback security.

Steelers Could Use Mason Rudolph To Create Flexibility

The Steelers do not need to force this. Rudolph still has value in Pittsburgh. A veteran backup behind a 42-year-old starter is not a luxury. It is a legitimate roster need.

Training camp can change the equation quickly. Backup quarterbacks get hurt. Young quarterbacks struggle. Teams with playoff hopes panic when their depth suddenly looks thin. Rudolph could become a realistic target for a team that wants competence more than upside.

Pittsburgh would have to be disciplined. Trading Rudolph only makes sense if Howard earns the staff’s trust and the return is worth weakening the safety net. A late-round pick alone may not be enough unless the Steelers truly believe Rush can handle the emergency role from the practice squad.

Carter’s idea gives the Steelers an interesting middle ground. They could gain draft capital, keep both young quarterbacks, avoid using four active roster spots at the position, and still have a veteran familiar with McCarthy’s offense available.

Rudolph is the safer answer. Rush is the cheaper emergency option. Howard is the key to making either path possible.

If Howard proves he is ready, Pittsburgh may have a sneaky way to turn a crowded quarterback room into value.

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