Everyone and their mother have seen the news about Aaron Rodgers and his torn Achilles. He will be out the entire season after a lot of hype was around his debut with the New York Jets after a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers. He will probably be back next year, but that leaves the Jets with Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback.
He has not been able to live up to his high draft status yet even though Wilson was able to help lead the Jets to a victory in week one. Many have speculated plenty of potential quarterback options that could potentially lead the Jets after Rodgers's injury. Some Steelers could make some sense to join the Jets, even if it might seem farfetched.
Mitch Trubisky could be a bridge option to trade away from the Steelers
One idea that has not been thrown around much yet, but that could make some sense is Mitch Trubisky to the Jets. He has the draft pedigree and could be a reliable bridge option to lead New York to a potential playoff berth. Trubisky just signed an extension in Pittsburgh, but he would love to get a shot at getting a starting spot in the NFL again.
The Steelers would not get much in return, but they would still have a backup on their team in Mason Rudolph who could start if Kenny Pickett were to get injured. It might not make a ton of sense for the Jets because of Trubisky's contract extension with Rodgers likely coming back next season. He would be a reliable backup to Wilson and could become the starter if Wilson struggles.
Mason Rudolph could be a potential trade option for the New York Jets
Add another option at quarterback here as Mason Rudolph could finally get out of the third quarterback spot with the Steelers. He has held that title from the start of last season until now, and many thought that he could find a promotion elsewhere. That has not happened just yet, but Rudolph could come cheap for the Jets to acquire via trade.
Pittsburgh would have an issue finding a replacement at quarterback, but your third option rarely is a quality option. Rudolph has a good number of starts in the NFL and could help keep New York in the thick of a playoff race with the backing of a good defense. He might not be the starter over Zach Wilson, but he could start if an injury were to occur or if Wilson were to struggle.
That has happened before as Wilson got benched last season, which triggered the Rodgers rumors this past offseason. That situation could happen again this time around despite a season of Rodgers in his ear to help give guidance. It does not matter if you have the best coach of all time in your corner if you cannot produce on your own.
Rudolph is not going to do anything special for their offense, but he is a solid backup upgrade for the Jets and the Steelers would probably let him go for cheap. He would be the immediate backup that could go at a moment's notice. Perhaps this is the break that Rudolph has been looking for all along to get his foot in the door as an NFL starter again.
Ben Roethlisberger is reportedly an option to join New York and push for a championship
Here is why you clicked on this article in the first place as there have been rumors circulating that Ben Roethlisberger might come out of retirement. It seems like a fairytale of make believe, but we know that other teams have reached out in the past to see if the retired Steelers legend would come out of retirement for one last hurrah.
The San Francisco 49ers did it last year when their quarterback injuries started to pile up, but Roethlisberger ultimately declined. The 49ers even investigated bringing in Phillip Rivers if they were able to get past the Eagles in the playoffs. That never materialized and Roethlisberger has been consistent with his distaste for not playing for any other team than the Steelers.
Maybe the glitz and glamour of New York could change his mind this time if they decide Wilson will not cut it. Roethlisberger has been out of football going on his second season and that alone could be a cause for concern. He believes that he could still play if the right call showed up on his phone someday soon. That would likely need to be from the Steelers.
The theatre of it all would be interesting, but it would be an awkward sight to see Big Ben wear any other uniform that isn't Pittsburgh's. The Jets would get another big name in the building if they could convince him out of retirement. It would be interesting to see what level his game would be at after a long period of time out of football. He could help elevate their offense, but maybe not to the level Rodgers would have.