When NFL teams made their initial 53-man roster cuts, four organizations kept four quarterbacks rather than the usual number of two or three signal-callers. The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the teams that kept an extra QB.
Naturally, they’re going into the season with Aaron Rodgers as the starter. Yet, the Steelers’ front office couldn’t live with splitting from trusted veteran Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, or third-round rookie Drew Allar. Rodgers and Allar were expected locks, but it felt like there was some wiggle room with the 31-year-old Rudolph, or possibly with Howard, who hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL.
Yet, now it sounds like the Steelers would be willing to trade one of them. But of course, not Rodgers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Willing to Trade Mason Rudolph
Aug 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With four quarterbacks, one would think eventually something has to give. Unless the Steelers fall flat on their face, Rodgers’s place is secure. The same can be said for the third-round rookie, Allar.
Yet, as noted, Rudolph or Howard? Their spots could be more flexible. Still, the Steelers know they employ the NFL’s oldest QB; they’re more likely to value someone like the 24-year-old Howard, waiting to see what he can develop into.
Meanwhile, they know what Rudolph offers. As Casino.org’s Jason La Canfora reports, the Steelers are “very open” to trading Rudolph. Yet, striking a deal isn’t as easy as it sounds, as two other teams still have four QBs on the roster, and others have just as many in the organization when counting the practice squad.
“NFL executives have stated that the Steelers are very open to trading veteran Mason Rudolph. However, the one thing stopping this is not Pittsburgh’s willingness to sell, it’s the number of quarterbacks potentially available across the league which could make finding a deal more difficult.”
Casino’s Jason La Canfora on Mason Rudolph Trade
Rudolph signed a two-year contract worth up to $7.5 million with Pittsburgh in March of 2025. He’s now entering the final year of that deal. While the Steelers clearly like what he offers as a valued veteran backup, it’s possible they’ve seen enough from Allar and Howard to believe the offense would be fine without Rudolph.
Yet, with so many other QBs seemingly available around the league, it could be a matter of finding the right fit. Other teams may be more inclined to take on a younger QB with more upside than a known commodity like Rudolph. But of course, all it takes is one team that’s looking for a more experienced option like Rudolph to strike a deal.
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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on Sportsnaut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports … More about Andrew Buller-Russ