While the Pittsburgh Steelers have fallen on hard times to start the season, it feels like the Giants are in an even worse position. Like Pittsburgh, they spent the offseason dedicated to building around their quarterback, Jaxson Dart, hoping to make a run at the Super Bowl, but a Week 2 injury has already ended his season.
New York will turn to veteran Jameis Winston. Although experienced, Winston’s inconsistency makes him difficult to trust as an every-down starter.
The Steelers have a plethora of quarterbacks on their roster. With the team playing its usual brand of .500 football, keeping a player like Mason Rudolph seems like a luxury if the right deal materializes.
Simply put, if the Giants make a call to Pittsburgh, they would be fools not to listen right now.
The Giants just became the perfect landing spot for Pittsburgh Steelers backup Mason Rudolph
With Dart heading to injured reserve, Winston is the only quarterback currently on the Giants' active roster. That will certainly change before Week 3. Jake Haener is currently on the practice squad and will likely handle backup duties in their next game, but he isn't a viable alternative if Winston struggles.
That said, their options are limited, and if New York thinks that they can still build a competitive team this year, they will need some additional insurance. That is where Rudolph slots in.
No, Rudolph is past the point of being viewed as a potential long-term starter, but he provides any team with an experienced veteran who has seen a lot of action in his career. His highs won’t crest what Winston offers you, but he also won’t bottom out like the former top pick tends to do at times.
At worst, he would be a more than capable second option for the team. At best, his ability to manage a game could make him more effective than Winston if the talent around him is enough to carry him.
For the Steelers, having four quarterbacks on the roster is overkill, especially considering this team is already revealing its true colors. You kept Rudolph for the same reason the Giants would want him (he can potentially keep you afloat), but Pittsburgh is clearly not a contending team right now.
Flipping Rudolph for anything means your young quarterbacks are one step closer to getting some valuable reps. Will Howard essentially becomes the backup while Drew Allar gets to dress as the emergency quarterback on game day.
You aren’t going to get a lot for Rudolph. I think at best, you are looking at a late Day 3 pick or a pick swap, but getting something of value now for a player who isn’t going to help you long-term doesn't make much sense.
If the Giants come calling, I would be hard-pressed not to trade Rudolph at this point. Getting a longer look at your younger options in a year when even making the playoffs seems daunting is a win-win for a Steelers team that looks like a bottom-feeder in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google