Pittsburgh Steelers QB Trade Incoming? Rumors Heat Up After Aaron Rodgers Update
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally answered the biggest question hanging over their offseason. Aaron Rodgers will lead the team at quarterback in 2026. That move gives Pittsburgh a proven veteran for one more season, but it also creates fresh questions behind him on the depth chart.
Right now, Mason Rudolph sits as the top backup behind Rodgers. Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar follow him. Rudolph knows the Steelers well and brings experience to the room. He spent nearly his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh and has stepped in when the team needed him.
Still, Rudolph’s future with the team suddenly looks uncertain.
NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that new head coach Mike McCarthy thinks highly of Howard. That belief could shake up the quarterback room before the regular season begins.
“Many are simply projecting him to back-up Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh,” La Canfora wrote. “And he’s done just that for that team for quite some time. But we continue to hear that new coach Mike McCarthy is very high on 2025 draft pick Will Howard.”
La Canfora also pointed to Pittsburgh’s crowded quarterback room. The Steelers drafted Drew Allar and do not plan to move on from him. Rodgers also locks down the starting role. That leaves Rudolph in an awkward spot if Howard continues to impress.
Steelers Could Face Tough Quarterback Decision
Rudolph handled limited action well in 2025. He completed 38 of 52 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Basically he was not spectacular, but he gave the Pittsburgh Steelers steady quarterback play when they needed it.
That experience matters for a team hoping to make the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers still brings big expectations, but injuries and age remain concerns for him. Rudolph gives Pittsburgh a backup they trust if Rodgers misses games.
At the same time, younger quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar offer more long-term potential. The Steelers eventually need to find their future starting quarterback, so the team may want to give the younger players more chances to develop behind Rodgers.
Training camp now becomes very important for Pittsburgh. Howard could challenge Rudolph for the backup role if he performs well. A strong preseason could also increase Rudolph’s value if another team needs a quarterback.
Coach Mike McCarthy and the front office now have to decide between experience and future potential. Rudolph gives the team stability, while Howard and Allar represent the future.
If another NFL team starts looking for quarterback help before Week 1, Pittsburgh could listen to trade offers. That makes Rudolph an interesting player to watch as the offseason continues.
