Steelers Fans Get A Timeline On A Potential Mason Rudolph Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering training camp very soon in Latrobe, PA, and will be featuring plenty of new faces. While the new coaching staff looks to learn more about all their players and teaching them a new system, there are a handful of roster questions that need answered. One of the new faces that is forcing a major roster decision is Drew Allar, the young quarterback from Penn State that is essentially guaranteed a roster spot in 2026. That has opened up one of the biggest debates of the offseason for Pittsburgh, suggesting if they should or shouldn't roster four quarterbacks this season.

That debate is so significant because it could go many ways between Mason Rudolph or Will Howard as the backup. Going with Rudolph would give the Steelers a more dependable option in the event that Aaron Rodgers gets hurt, but sacrificing quality reps for Howard and Allar to get at practice to develop into potential future quarterbacks for this team.

Going with Howard though would risk the best possible backup if Rodgers gets hurt as Rudolph is considered a solid backup, as Howard has yet to take an NFL snap. The debate has come down to bracing for right now, or the future, which is a very difficult choice to make with a quarterback that plans to retire after this season in Rodgers. 

If the team decides to move on from one of them and trim the group down to three QBs, Pittsburgh should try to maximize their value on the trade front. Both could be of interest to a variety of teams going for it all in 2026, or rebuilding. The Steelers created a good problem to have with their quarterback room and even with the complications with holding four quarterbacks, they have value to capitalize on it. One option is to trade Rudolph near midseason at the NFL trade deadline and Steelers insider Mark Kaboly stated on the Kaboly + Mack podcast that he believes that could be when Pittsburgh pulls the trigger.

"[Rudolph] would be more of a trade deadline guy, that somebody gets hurt Week 5 or 6 and you’re like, man, we have no other options, but that doesn’t help the Steelers right now," Kaboly explained.

In the event that another team loses a quarterback around Weeks 5 or 6, Kaboly believes that's what the Steelers may wait for. That could obviously change if Rodgers gets hurt early in the season or one of the young signal-callers finds their way onto the injured list, but if all are healthy and showing strides in their development, then that could be where Pittsburgh moves on from Rudolph.

It likely wouldn't be a big return, possibly a sixth-round pick or something similar, but there would still be some room for the Steelers to get something in return. In addition to the return, moving on from Rudolph would also take about $3 million off the cap space, opening the door for their own deadline additions to boost the odds of pushing for the playoffs.

This quarterback situation has stirred up many ideas and there still is no telling if Howard or Allar will be the future at quarterback for the Steelers either. Nonetheless, Rudolph remains a player that impedes reps for the other younger quarterbacks. That prevents the coaching staff from analyzing their full abilities and how much they can unlock. If Pittsburgh goes out and gets a star quarterback, this debate really won't matter as much down the road, but for now, it's a major question that still needs answered.

Steelers' Future Depends On This Quarterback Decision

The Steelers are fortunate to have a surplus of valuable quarterbacks and even if their contributions come off the field through a trade, it's a good problem to have. With Mike McCarthy leading this quarterback room, there's reason to believe in the future of these young quarterbacks, but it still is a gamble that has created plenty of discussion around the fan base. Time will tell to see what this front office believes in.