The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extremely controversial training camp when it comes to the quarterback position. Part of the speculation that has been discussed is simply who will start: Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett? The other part has been the only one in the room who has experience in the Steelers offense, Mason Rudolph. The veteran will most likely want out of the organization if he is named the team's third-string quarterback and no one should blame him for that. The organization should also be ready to move on as he has solid trade value and they have two signal-callers contracted for next year and can bring back rookie, Chris Oladokun.
Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' Mason Rudolph Could Have Several Trade Suitors
Rudolph has solid starting experience in his career with a record of 5-4-1 and he played behind future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger since he was drafted in 2018. While the Steelers don't necessarily need Rudolph in the building, other teams may be very interested in him as his trade market is heating up significantly according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
From @NFLNetwork: Players to watch as we get closer to Tuesday, taking a look at #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, #Chiefs RB Ronald Jones, and #Steelers QB Mason Rudolph (who has drawn trade interest). pic.twitter.com/hsyKqC8LRt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 26, 2022
Here are the most likely trade partners that could use Rudolph on their roster and what the Steelers could get in return:
1.) Detroit Lions
Head Coach, Dan Campbell is not ruling out trading for quarterback help heading into his team's final preseason match-up against the Steelers. The Lions will have a better look than anyone and some see Sunday as Rudolph's audition for the team. They currently only have three quarterbacks on the roster in Jared Goff, Tim Boyle and David Blough. An argument could be made for Rudolph to even start in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws downfield during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
The Lions have two sixth-round picks in 2023. The asking price from Omar Khan for Rudolph will be in the later rounds, but it depends on what other teams believe his value really is. Detroit really needs help at the position and a fifth-round pick is very much in play here.
2.) Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith was just announced as the starter for the Seahawks over Drew Lock. This is another situation where Rudolph could come in and immediately complete for the starting job. With only three guys on the depth chart at the position, assistance and another veteran presence could help Pete Carroll's team.
The Steelers have won many trades over the year and dishing Rudolph to Seattle could help them win two. Ahkello Witherspoon came to Pittsburgh in return for a fifth-round pick back in 2021. The Seahawks don't have a seventh-round pick next April so the pick in round five most likely would be the deal here as Seattle has two picks in the fifth.
Steelers cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon. | Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
3.) Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have performed very poorly when Dak Prescott has been injured over the years. Cooper Rush currently serves as the backup, but all three backup quarterbacks have played a combined 12 NFL games. Rudolph has 17 games of regular season experience to some extent and would immediately catapult to QB2 in Dallas. It is worth it for Jerry Jones to make the call to Khan.
4) Carolina Panthers
Another team to look out for is the Carolina Panthers as backup quarterback, Sam Darnold left Friday night's preseason game with an injury and is set to have an MRI.
Once again, the Steelers quarterback is worth a fifth-round pick due to his play this preseason and experience overall. The asking price should be a fifth-round pick and there will be a team out there that is willing to give that to Pittsburgh in return. Any team giving up a draft pick for a potential one-year rental in Rudolph certainly will see him as a potential starter.
Which organization do you think would be the perfect trading partner for the Steelers and Rudolph? Let us know in the comments below!
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