The Pittsburgh Steelers have given fans plenty to discuss as the trade deadline approaches. Much of the attention surrounds who could come to the Steel City, but there are also questions about players potentially leaving. A crowded quarterback room has fueled some of that speculation. However, having several options at the position doesn't necessarily mean General Manager Omar Khan can afford to part with one of them.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (8), Will Howard (18), and Drew Allar (right) talk with Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth (middle) during the second quarter of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium in 2026.
Veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph finds himself in an interesting spot behind Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh also has Will Howard and Drew Allar, giving the team younger options to develop. That makes Rudolph a popular name to bring up in trade discussions, particularly if another team suddenly needs help under center.
There is a significant difference between carrying young quarterbacks and trusting them to take over during a meaningful game, however. During his recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette fan chat, Ray Fittipaldo addressed the possibility of Pittsburgh moving Rudolph. His response should give those hoping for an extra draft pick something to consider.
"Why would they trade their backup QB when Howard and Allar have no NFL experience," Fittipaldo wrote. "That's why they kept Rudolph -- in case something happened to Rodgers."
That is the part of this conversation that can get lost when fans start discussing potential returns. Rudolph has a specific purpose on the roster. The Steelers know what he can provide if Rodgers has to leave a game or miss time. Moving him would create a much different situation for the coaching staff.
Howard and Allar might have futures in Pittsburgh, but neither has the experience Rudolph brings. Asking one of them to enter a game with little warning would be a substantial responsibility. It becomes an even bigger concern if the Steelers need someone to start multiple contests while trying to maintain their position in the AFC playoff race.
Pittsburgh doesn't need Rudolph to challenge Rodgers for the starting job to justify keeping him. That was never going to happen. A backup quarterback can spend weeks without playing and suddenly become one of the most important players on the depth chart. The Steelers would have to weigh any draft compensation against the possibility of needing that insurance.
Another fan then raised the idea of receiving a third- or fourth-round selection for Rudolph. That would certainly get people's attention, but Fittipaldo questioned where such an offer would come from.
"Who is making that deal? The Ravens are trying to get Brissett. No one else really needs a starter right now," Fittipaldo noted. "The Eagles are cooked. They're not going to do it."
Fittipaldo brought the discussion back to the teams that would actually have to surrender a pick. Fans can put a value on Rudolph, but a trade requires another front office to agree. A quarterback having experience doesn't automatically mean a team will offer a selection that makes Pittsburgh seriously consider moving him.
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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph drops back and gets ready to unleash a pass as the team goes through a workout during a 2026 training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
His mention of the Baltimore Ravens pursuing Jacoby Brissett also matters. Even a team looking for quarterback help can have another target in mind. That doesn't establish a strong market for Rudolph, especially at the price suggested in the chat. Fittipaldo also dismissed the Philadelphia Eagles as a potential destination because of their 2-6 record.
There is no indication in those responses that the Steelers have received the kind of offer the fan proposed. Treating a hypothetical third- or fourth-round pick as something Pittsburgh can simply collect would skip the most important part of the discussion. Someone has to offer it first.
Steelers Have A Reason To Keep Rudolph
Pittsburgh can appreciate Rudolph's potential value to another team while deciding he means more to their own roster. His familiarity with Pittsburgh and experience starting NFL games give the coaching staff a fallback option that Howard and Allar have yet to become.
A strong offer could make the conversation more interesting. However, Fittipaldo's responses suggest fans should temper expectations about both a deal and the return. The Steelers kept Rudolph for a reason, and that reason doesn't disappear because the deadline creates an opportunity to discuss trades. Protecting the season if Rodgers misses time remains a reasonable priority.
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