Steelers reportedly 'reluctant' to trade Mason Rudolph

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers reportedly 'reluctant' to trade QB Mason Rudolph amid Kenny Pickett rise

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/29/22

While speaking with reporters days ahead of his team's preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph sounded like somebody who knew his playing future was up in the air now that he is unquestionably third on the depth chart behind both presumed starter Mitchell Trubisky and rookie Kenny Pickett.

"All I care about is this coaching staff right now," Rudolph said about any trade chatter at that time. "(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."

On Sunday, Rudolph was given the opportunity to throw the football just three times against the Lions and appeared to be the odd-man out at the position. On Monday afternoon, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the Steelers have received trade calls regarding Rudolph but are "reluctant to deal him" at this time:

The #Steelers have received trade calls on QB Mason Rudolph, but to this point they’ve been reluctant to deal him, per sources. Rudolph is on the books for just $3 million this season and Pittsburgh isn’t giving him away, even if he's 3rd behind Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2022

It was said ahead of this past weekend that "there is some interest around the league in a potential trade" for Rudolph. However, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted that Steelers general manager Omar Khan claimed on the latest edition of the "All Things Covered" podcast that he plans to keep all three quarterbacks on the roster heading into the Week 1 matchup at the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, largely because he wants an "experienced player" available if Trubisky goes down with an injury.

Per Fox Sports' stats, Rudolph completed 26-of-39 passes during preseason play for 220 yards with a pair of touchdowns and zero interceptions. In total, the 27-year-old holds an NFL career record of 5-4-1 as a starter.

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