The Pittsburgh Steelers' popular quarterback Mason Rudolph has been a frequent name in trade discussions ever since the team signed Aaron Rodgers for the upcoming season. Amid the ongoing speculation, the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets have surfaced as potential landing spots for the veteran signal-caller.
Which Teams Are Interested in Mason Rudolph?
In recent weeks, several teams have been linked to the 30-year-old quarterback. According to NFL insiders, the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets have expressed interest in acquiring him.
Insider Insights on Trade Rumors
Steelers Wire's Andrew Vasquez recently noted, "Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is holding out in search of a new deal, and a resolution may be far away. Howard would give the Cardinals a potential future starting option to compete with rookie quarterback Carson Beck, while Rudolph would give Arizona exactly what it had in Brissett: veteran stability."
Vasquez added, "If the Jets truly are all in on Geno Smith in 2026, Rudolph is an ideal trade target as both a viable fail-safe if the veteran fails to deliver and a top-backup option in case of injury. Howard, on the other hand, would compete alongside Cade Klubnik as the potential long-term answer at quarterback."
Contract Details and Salary Cap Implications
Rudolph is entering the final year of his contract, the second year of a two-year, $7.5 million deal. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, trading him would immediately clear $3 million in salary cap space, though they would incur a $1.62 million dead money penalty from his remaining signing bonus. The acquiring team would inherit only his non-guaranteed base salary of $3 million.
Potential Trade Return
The Steelers are expected to net a late-day draft pick, likely a sixth or seventh-round selection, in exchange for Rudolph.
How Could the Trade Impact the Teams?
Pittsburgh Steelers: Trading Rudolph would free up $3 million in cap space, allowing the team to focus on developing young backups Drew Allar and Will Howard behind Aaron Rodgers.
Arizona Cardinals: Acquiring Rudolph would be an affordable move, providing a reliable and low-risk backup option behind Kyler Murray.
New York Jets: Rudolph would offer an immediate, stable veteran upgrade to back up Geno Smith, with a minimal cap hit.
As the trade market heats up, Rudolph's future remains uncertain, but the Cardinals and Jets appear to be the frontrunners for his services.
