The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 campaign hasn't gone exactly according to plan. While they do sit at 3-2, it doesn't feel complete, and it isn't a secret that the Steelers defense is responsible for most of the 2023 success. There are many players on the roster who will have a legitimate chance to impact the remainder of the 2023 season, but Mason Rudolph probably isn't one of them. Could the Steelers see a scenario where trading Rudolph is the best way to get value from him?
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The Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph may not be opposed to getting a fresh start outside of Pittsburgh
Steelers Lacking Legitimate Trade Value On Their Roster
According to Mark Kaboly, who covers the Steelers for The Athletic, even if the Steelers were incredibly eager to trade one of their players, there really isn't anyone on the roster who would make other teams pay up. The talent that is currently on Pittsburgh's team is needed, and as we have seen from the offense in 2023, every little bit helps. You won't see any actual trade talk revolving around the star players, so any potential trade discussions would need a lesser offering from the Steelers.
Even with Calvin Austin III proving to be much more capable than Gunner Olszewski, the recent performances from Olszewski leave a great deal to be desired and have pretty much dried up any interest in the kick returner.
"Honestly, there is nobody currently on the roster who needs to be moved or, frankly, good enough to be in demand. Wide receiver/kick returner Gunner Olszewski could spark interest as a punt return specialist, but after two fumble-happy years with the Steelers, a team would have to be desperate to come calling."
That may sound harsh, but there is a great deal of truth to it. Kaboly isn't saying that the Steelers roster is devoid of talent or value. He's saying that they won't be trading any of those valuable pieces away. So, if there are minimal options, does Rudolph fit the mold for someone the Steelers may be willing to trade away?
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Pittsburgh Steelers retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger owned the quarterback position in Pittsburgh throughout his career
Steelers Mason Rudolph Likely To Have Another Home In 2023
Rudolph has been playing second (and third) fiddle in Pittsburgh ever since he was drafted in 2018 in the third round. The Steelers saw him as the possible, eventual heir to the position Ben Roethlisberger commanded, but that never came to fruition.
When Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, Rudolph believed that he would finally have a more direct route to the starting job. Unfortunately for Rudolph, again, that was not the case. Mitch Trubisky was signed during the 2022 free agency, and then Kenny Pickett was drafted in the first round. Rudolph's chances at being the starting quarterback for the Steelers were gone before they began, despite Rudolph having one of his best preseason performances in 2022.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett and his concussion concerns may be the reason why Mason Rudolph won't be traded in 2023
Kaboly sees all this disappointment as an excellent reason for Rudolph being a possible trade consideration. He isn't the backup, Trubisky has that role, and the likelihood that he sees the field at any point this season is slim to none at best. All of that seems to be against Rudolph, but it could be in his favor if the Steelers found the right match and value for the veteran quarterback.
"Rudolph is interesting because he’s an expendable veteran third-string quarterback who is playing out a minimum deal he signed in the spring. With Kenny Pickett suffering a pair of concussions and a knee injury during his 17 career starts, the Steelers aren’t likely to be actively seeking to move Rudolph, who is also behind Mitch Trubisky. But if the right deal is offered, general manager Omar Khan has proven not to hesitate."
There are plenty of reasons for the Steelers to pull the trigger and give Rudolph a fresh beginning on another quarterback-needy team, but there is also a great deal of truth to the concussion concerns for Pickett. It honestly comes down to what another team would offer for Rudolph because he tested 2023 free agency for two months before re-signing with Pittsburgh.
Is there any interest in Rudolph, or will he spend the rest of 2023 in the wings just in case something happens to their first-round investment? Omar Khan showed Pittsburgh a new, aggressive strategy during the 2023 offseason, but this could be a bit much to ask.
Will Mason Rudolph spend all of 2023 on Pittsburgh's roster?
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