Steelers' Mason Rudolph 'can't control' trade rumors amid Kenny Pickett rise

Career backup Mason Rudolph had reasons to feel optimistic even a few short weeks ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers listed him second on their initial preseason depth chart behind free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky but ahead of first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett. 

While Trubisky held a comfortable lead in the quarterback competition between the three, Pickett allegedly wasn't "close to being ready" to face opposing defenses. Since that time, however, Pickett has leapfrogged Rudolph and left Trubisky publicly campaigning for head coach Mike Tomlin to stick to the supposed plan of sitting the first-year pro through at least the start of the upcoming regular season. 

Rudolph, meanwhile, has become somewhat of a forgotten figure mentioned by individuals such as Eric Edholm of the NFL's website as a "trade candidate" before clubs must trim their rosters this coming Tuesday. Per Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Will Graves of the Associated Press, Rudolph was asked Thursday about possibly auditioning for other quarterback-needy teams during Sunday's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions held at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. 

"All I care about is this coaching staff right now," Rudolph explained. "(A trade) may be so, but I can’t control it. I don’t try to speculate on that. My teammates and coaches are the opinions I care about. Anything else is water under the bridge." 

Rudolph wasn't terrible across his two exhibition appearances, as he completed 26-of-36 passes for 220 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, Pickett hit on 19-of-22 throws for 171 yards with three touchdowns and no picks over those same contests. 

"I try to say nothing surprises you anymore, but I said it previously, I would have enjoyed taking some more first-team reps, but that didn’t happen," Rudolph added about a position battle that seemingly never truly favored him. "I think I made the most of the reps I did get, and that’s all you can do when you play quarterback." 

Unless a different team loses a signal-caller to an injury during the final days of preseason action, Rudolph may find himself an inactive spectator when the Steelers open the regular season at the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 11. 

"I think I hear it from you guys, but I don’t read it," Rudolph said of chatter about his future. "I really don’t. I try not to read the rat poison on social media, which can get to you. My friends and family know not to send me that crap. It’s easy. That’s my routine."