NFL Trade Rumor: Jets Urged to Pursue Steelers QB Mason Rudolph

NFL Trade Rumor: New York Jets urged to add Pittsburgh Steelers $17M quarterback Mason Rudloph to backup Geno Smith (Image via Getty: Mason Rudolph and Geno Smith)

Aaron Rodgers will be holding the fort for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 season. The two rookies - - Drew Allar and Will Howard - - may back him up in case he needs some time off the gridiron or he is injured. The remaining contestant, Mason Rudolph, could be utilized well elsewhere. Somewhere, there is no supposed quarterback security? Like Geno Smith in the Aaron Glenn’s New York Jets. How? Let’s find out…

Steelers QB Mason Rudolph's potential trade to Jets as backup for Geno Smith

Jets X-Factor’s Omari Brown said on “The Jake Asman Show” that if he were taking calls in the New York Jets, he would add another quarterback to the roster. One of the potential targets being Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. Omari Brown said New York has one rookie [Cade Klubnik], and one veteran [Geno Smith]. What they need is someone in the middle, like a young veteran. Cade Klubnik is 22 years old. Geno Smith is 35 years old. Mason Rudolph is 30 years old. Someone who has been in the league for 2-5 years. Someone who can come in, and you can say that their best football is ahead of them. Someone like Mason Rudolph. Brown created a season scenario in which he pictured Rudolph as the hero. “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, the Jets are like 3-4 or 3-5, and there is an injury to Geno Smith, and you just don’t feel like Cade Klubnik is ready yet. Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that you had a guy who has starting experience? A Mason Rudolph who has won some games for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Mason Rudolph trade rumors

Category

Details

Player

Mason Rudolph

Current Team

Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumored Teams

New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins

Contract Status

1 year left

Salary Cap Hit

$4,622,500

Trade Likelihood

Moderate

Latest Insider Update

Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot

Potential Return

1 or 2 late-round draft picks

Mason Rudolph’s odd man out situation in Pittsburgh

“Rudolph is a difficult player to assess,” Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot wrote. “Will Howard will be given every chance to win the backup role. But how he performs this summer is anyone’s guess. There remains the slim chance the team opts to carry all four quarterbacks, too. Still, Rudolph feels at the mercy of others and has been considered odd man out since Pittsburgh drafted Drew Allar.” Four QBs currently on the roster are: Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, Drew Allar, and Mason Rudolph.

Mason Rudolph contract details

According to Spotrac, Rudolph signed a 2-year contract worth $7. 5M, including a $3M signing bonus and $3M in guaranteed money, with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2025. The deal gives an average annual salary of $3. 75M. He still has one year left on his current contract. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn a $3M base salary while carrying a $4. 6M cap hit and a $1. 6M dead cap value. His total career earnings over 8 years through 2026 are $17M.

Mason Rudolph’s trade impact on New York

ESPN’s Rich Cimini said on the Jets Collective podcast that New York Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe has been unimpressive this spring. The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt calls Brady Cook “looking like Brady Cook.” Which Heavy Sports’ Paul Esden Jr. says is not a compliment. Cook completed 88 of 153 passes for 739 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 55.4 passer rating in 5 games of the 2025 season. Seven interceptions are not good… As for Mason Rudolph? He completed 38 of 52 passes for 310 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions with an 84.6 passer rating in 5 games of the 2025 season. Two interceptions seem promising… No wonder every analyst/insider is pitching Rudolph for another team… Especially now, when even the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo has stated that Will Howard has a “leg up” on the competition to win the QB2 role behind Aaron Rodgers… Will a Mason Rudolph trade come to any fruition? Only time will tell…