The Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of the most talked-about quarterback rooms in the NFL ever since the end of the 2025 season. There were questions about whether or not Aaron Rodgers would come back to the franchise for another season and if the team would entertain drafting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Rodgers came back and Pittsburgh selected Drew Allar in the third round of the event, while Will Howard and Mason Rudolph were both already under contract through the 2026 season. There were plenty of debates about whether or not the organization would keep three or four quarterbacks, and it was finally revealed on Sunday that all four are being kept on the active roster.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterbacks Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Aaron Rodgers warm up prior to Pittsburgh's 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
It was clear that Rodgers and Allar would not be cut, but either Howard or Rudolph could have been on the chopping block had the franchise decided to settle on three players at the position. It is now believed that Howard was always going to be safe on the roster, but the new coaching staff wanted to see what it had in Rudolph. The veteran backup only played in one preseason game, but he played well enough to prove he belonged on the active roster and rested through the final two preseason games.
NFL insider Adam Schefter joined The Pat McAfee Show on Monday afternoon and he spoke about Rudolph. He confirmed that the questions were always surrounding Rudolph, and that the Steelers even had the thought to potentially trade him.
"The question was around Rudolph," Schefter said. "They didn't get anything offer-wise that was worth doing. They like Mason Rudolph as a player. They just aren't going to give up on him right now. Just doesn't make sense. It's a fluid thing. Again, we don't know if there's a team that loses their quarterback to injury, maybe they're calling Pittsburgh for Mason Rudolph. That could happen."
Schefter couldn't really confirm whether or not the Steelers received legitimate trade interest when it comes to Rudolph, but if other teams called, no one was offering anything that would make the franchise want to move him. His value could go up as the season moves along and there are potentially injuries to quarterbacks around the league. His experience makes him valuable.
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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The first official depth chart for Pittsburgh has not been released yet, but it is fair to assume that Rudolph is going to be the top backup to Rodgers. He played well in limited time during the preseason, and Howard also didn't play great enough to surpass him on the depth chart. If anything, Allar might have a shot at becoming the second quarterback on the depth chart before Howard at this point, but the coaching staff has been clear that they just want him to focus on his development.
Steelers Must Lower Expectations For A Potential Trade
Rudolph is entering the final season of his current contract, which means any team that would trade for him would pretty much just be getting a rental. He is going to hit free agency after the season, and if the Steelers can get anything at all for him throughout the year it is a move that should be made. It probably won't be anything higher than a late Day 3 pick, but that is better than nothing. The Steelers have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL, so an extra swing in an upcoming NFL Draft could be important.
Rudolph has had a good career in Pittsburgh, and he will always be remembered for helping the Steelers clinch a spot in the postseason back in 2023 by going 3-0 to end the year. The franchise needs to entertain any trade conversations involving him.
What do you think about Mason Rudolph potentially being moved? What would you expect to get in return? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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