AUGUST 29: The Steelers continue to receive calls on Rudolph, but Tom Pelissero of NFL.com adds the team is hesitant to unload its veteran backup (Twitter link). Pittsburgh may be angling for teams to up their offers, with Pelissero adding the team will not merely trade Rudolph just to save a roster spot.
AUGUST 27: Pittsburgh’s transition from Ben Roethlisberger to the Mitchell Trubisky-to-Kenny Pickett bridge situation leaves Mason Rudolph without a clear role. Other teams look to be coming to this conclusion, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com noting the veteran backup is drawing trade interest (video link).
The Steelers are expected to listen to Rudolph trade inquiries, though it would need to be at “the right price.” The team should not be expected to land too much for the former third-round pick, and earlier this week, a report indicated trade interest was scarce.
Ahead of what turned out to be Roethlisberger’s final season, the Steelers extended Rudolph through 2022. He is due a manageable $3MM base salary and, as of now, accounts for just more than $4MM on Pittsburgh’s cap sheet. The Oklahoma State product has started a game in each of the past two seasons but was used regularly in 2019, when Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2.
Rudolph, 27, is viewed as Pittsburgh’s QB3 presently. With Trubisky expected to get the call for Week 1 and be replaced by Pickett at some point this season, Rudolph could be set to play out the string in Pittsburgh. Then again, the Steelers are seemingly in the market for a long-term Pickett backup. Trubisky would likely attempt to pursue another chance to start somewhere, or be a bridge to another team’s early-round draftee, whereas Rudolph’s ceiling looks like a backup.
The Steelers cut seventh-round rookie Chris Oladokun early, leaving three quarterbacks on their 80-man roster. A mid-round pick coming the team’s way would likely convince GM Omar Khan to part with Rudolph, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, but otherwise, the trade chip might end up staying. The fifth-year passer would likely upgrade a few teams’ backup situations, but it remains to be seen what the Steelers’ price point would be.
Not expecting anything substantial this year from the Steelers – more of a transition than a rebuild. If Trubiski plays well enough early in the season, it may be an opportunity to move him as opposed to Rudolph and get something more in return. I’d hold Rudolph for now considering he’s cheap and they’re not going to get much back for him. If he’s good with being a career backup, he could find himself in Pittsburg for the next several years.
“H” in Pittsburgh
Perhaps he is making reference to the old city charters of 1816 where the misspelling was commonplace, taking over for the actual Pottsbourgh. It wasn’t until 1911 that it again become Pittsburgh.
Nonetheless, don’t be a jerk.
*Pittsbourgh.
Not being a jerk.
Just trying to teach how to spill, er spell!
I mean, he might end up as a backup in Pittsburg. He’d probably be the best backup in Division II history, but it’s possible.
Hittsburg???
Sh***sburgh
Yeah don’t be a jerk.
Autocorrect.
Pitzberg
Jerks know that Pittsburg is in KS or TX.
Steelers should move him for anything higher than a 5th and keep him if not.
Still waiting for someone to explain why Colbert ended his drafting career by taking this QB who was cut after a few snaps.
Agreed… perhaps the future Landry Jones or Dennis Dixon can be found in a magical 4th round again. Serviceable backups, just like Rudolph.
Pittsburg California
well at round 7 I don’t think there’s much to it,
however it being his final pick, he wanted to make sure he didn’t leave the next regime without a successor to Ben, and although it didn’t work out, it was just another option
No use to jump on a late round pick as he could count to compensatory picks if he hits FA next year
Nobody is trading a future pick for Rudolph just a few days before final roster cut downs take place.
Someone might. Unlikely, but it’s happened before. Rudolph certainly does not profile as a starter right now, but he’s a younger quarterback with a slate of starting experience and no major off the field issues. He’ll certainly get work as a backup somewhere, and teams with an extra pick later or in search of a backup who has stepped in for significant snaps in the past might pay a little extra for that type of player.
It would be smart to wait for Rudolph to be released and not overpay…which is why a team who wants him could trade a low level pick or even a roster bubble player to have first dibs. Player-for-player trades aren’t really common, but this is the time of year where we see them. Well, actually, that was in the last two weeks (Amadi for Whiteside comes to mind, as does the old Baldwin-Jenkins trade, the former of which ironically played for Pittsburgh in college). Rosters are mostly getting set. But there may be a player or two that Pittsburgh may be interested enough in to help facilitate a deal for Rudolph.
I think Rudolph ultimately ends up released, but it wouldn’t shock me at all to see him dealt for a Day Three pick.
First snap of the season: Trubisky gets chased out of the pocket, rolls right, gets gang mauled by 4 defenders and doesn’t get up because his ACL is torn.
How much would you have to get for Mason Rudolph to not regret trading him at that moment?
That’s what he’s worth.
You might need 6 QB’s behind this line.
Stop trying to speak this into existence. Mason Rudolph is the only person who knows the playbook inside & out. Everyone else is brand new.
A month ago, I agree with you completely. But both Trubisky and Pickett have grown by leaps and bounds the past few weeks. Besides, this really isn’t the same playbook from previous seasons because Ben’s lack of mobility and relative lack of arm strength limited how much they could implement.
This guy catches a helmet to the dome like it’s nobody’s business
Yeah, done by a guy who heard imaginary voices uttering racial epithets. Odd that no coach, ref or guys holding the sticks heard a thing. But hey, good one
Ya that’s about as likely as Jussie smollett getting jumped in Chicago by racists at 2 am in a snowstorm.
It’s always a hoax
Maybe if you click your heels together three times and hold your breath, the fairy will come and give you a brain. Wisdom like yours is usually something one sees on the mens room wall.
Justice for juicy!
“Old man yells at cloud”
Given how many injuries the Steelers had at QB last year, maybe they are going to keep him just in case….
Actually none last year. Ben started 15 and Rudolph 1 in 2020. They had injury issues in 2019.
Rudolph played in the Detroit rain game that ended in a tie. Did Roethlisberger get hurt during the game or did he miss the whole game?
Covid, he missed the entire game
If a team is willing to cough up a 4th or 5th round pick, especially considering the draft capital the Steelers have traded away the last couple years… yeah, I might do that. Otherwise, keep him as long as he’s not going to complain or be a distraction about being demoted to #3. Because as much as I’m not a big fan of Rudolph, he did nothing to really deserve being demoted… he played well this preseason, but Pickett played better, and Pickett’s the future.
Hear that, Cleveland? Cough up your remaining draft picks.
It’s not a crazy idea. If the Steelers and Ravens can make trades (Chris Wormley), why not? Just maybe don’t put the Reindeer’s locker next to Myles Garrett’s.
He’s done everything he’s been asked and some. I have nothing but respect for Rudolph. He for sure will have a job for the next few seasons as a backup. Hope the best for him if he gets a chance to start. The Steelers won’t trade him unless he gives them better than a fifth rounder
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in Detroit backing up Goff. He’s better than either Tim Boyle or David Blough.