Colts, Bills Emerge as Top Landing Spots for Steelers QB Mason Rudolph

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ popular quarterback Mason Rudolph is looking to be traded in the new season with Aaron Rodgers gearing up for his last year on the field. Amid all this, the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills have been linked to Mason Rudolph for the upcoming season.

Player

Mason Rudolph

Current Team

Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumored Teams

Indianapolis Colts/Buffalo Bills/Miami Dolphins

Contract Status

1 Year Remaining (Entering final year of a 2-year, $7.5 million contract signed in 2025)

Salary Cap Hit (New Team)

$3.0 Million

Trade Likelihood

High

Latest Insider Update

Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills have emerged as strong landing spots

Potential Return

Late-Day Draft Pick (Projected 6th or 7th-Round Pick) due to his expiring deal and backup status

Which teams are interested in Mason Rudolph?

While the Pittsburgh Steelers are actively looking to trade Mason Rudolph, a number of rival teams have been linked to him. As per NFL insiders, the Indianapolis Colts, the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins seem to be eyeing the star player.

What insiders are saying about the trade rumors?

A few hours ago, as per Sports Illustrated’s Jacob Punturi, the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills have emerged as strong landing spots for Mason Rudolph. Sports Illustrated’s Jacob Punturi noted in a recent report, “The Colts have their starter in Daniel Jones, but behind him is a question mark. Two youngsters in Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard battling for the backup role. As in Pittsburgh, Indianapolis has to reckon with the possibility that neither young option earns the coaching staff's trust. If the Colts need a trustworthy backup behind Jones, or if Jones's recovery stalls for any reason, Rudolph suddenly becomes an option for the AFC South squad. ” Sports Illustrated’s Jacob Punturi added, “The Buffalo Bills have a superstar under center with former MVP Josh Allen. The problem is that's all they have. Veteran Kyle Allen, who played in Pittsburgh during the 2024 season, is the only other experienced quarterback on the roster. Allen and Rudolph are very similar players, but Rudolph holds the edge in touchdowns thrown and completion percentage over the same number of NFL games played. ”

Contract details and salary cap implications

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, trading Mason Rudolph would immediately free up $3M in 2026 salary cap savings. This will leave behind $1.6 million in dead cap from his original signing bonus. For an acquiring team, Mason Rudolph is relatively affordable with a $3,000,000 cap hit for the 2026 season.

How the trade could impact the teams

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, trading Mason Rudolph will immediately save $3.0 million in cash, and get a future draft pick in return. For the Indianapolis Colts, trading for Mason Rudolph is easily affordable with their $32.3 million in open cap space. With Anthony Richardson requesting a trade and veteran Daniel Jones being injured, Mason Rudolph will be a relatively impactful addition to the team. For the Buffalo Bills, trading for Mason Rudolph will be affordable with the team’s $10.1 million cap space. The star quarterback can also be a reliable backup if Josh Allen sustains an injury.