Steelers' Mason Rudolph reportedly attracting some trade interest 'around the league'

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph sounded like somebody who knew his days with the organization were numbered now that he's been leapfrogged on the depth chart by rookie Kenny Pickett. 

"(A trade) may be so, but I can’t control it. I don’t try to speculate on that," Rudolph said about his future at that time. "My teammates and coaches are the opinions I care about. Anything else is water under the bridge." 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport offered an update on the situation ahead of Pittsburgh's preseason finale versus the Detroit Lions on Sunday. 

Per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot, Rapoport explained during an on-air segment on Friday that the Steelers could ship Rudolph to a willing buyer before final roster cuts must be made on Tuesday. 

"The Pittsburgh Steelers have made clear Mitch Trubisky is starting their preseason game on Sunday," Rapoport said. "Kenny Pickett has really impressed, and that leaves Mason Rudolph as the No. 3. 

"My understanding is there is some interest around the league in a potential trade of Mason Rudolph. Sounds like the Pittsburgh Steelers would listen at the right price. We'll see, come Tuesday, if they're able to do a deal for Mason Rudolph."

The Steelers spent a first-round draft selection to land Pickett this past spring, and he answered all kinds of questions about his development when he completed 19-of-22 passes for 171 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions across his first two exhibition games. 

Trubisky, signed by the Steelers in March, is likely still the favorite to win the starting job for at least the Week 1 clash at the Cincinnati Bengals. That leaves Rudolph as a 27-year-old with too much experience to be a third option at this point of his career. 

Rudolph holds a career record of 5-4-1 as a starter. Across 17 total regular-season appearances, he's completed 236 of 384 passes (61.5%) for 2,366 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.