Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mason Rudolph has been at the forefront of trade rumors for months now. After the team signed Mitch Trubisky and drafted Kenny Pickett, Rudolph was always likely to end up as the No. 3 QB. While he actually performed quite well in training camp, he was still handed third-string duties. As a result, he's been a gameday inactive throughout the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks, Kenny Pickett (#8), Mitch Trubisky (#10), and Mason Rudolph (#2) participate in 2022 training camp at the team's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
If Pickett is not cleared in time for this weekend's game against the Miami Dolphins, Rudolph will be active as the team's primary backup behind Trubisky. The trade deadline is looming, as it's just two weeks away on November 1st. Trade rumors have began circulating as a result, and that's no different with the black and gold. Steelers reporter, Jeremy Fowler, of ESPN, suggested that the team would trade Rudolph if the interest is there:
"The Steelers have always kept three quarterbacks on the active roster, but they will field calls on third-stringer Mason Rudolph if teams show interest around the deadline," Fowler said in his NFL trade deadline article. "Rudolph's best bet might be as a high-level backup for a West Coast team, such as the Rams (who passing game coordinator, Zac Robinson, was an accomplished Oklahoma State quarterback like Rudolph) or the 49ers."
It's my sense the Steelers would have to get solid compensation for moving Rudolph, but with the team moving on with Pickett as the starter and Mitch Trubisky as the backup, Rudolph would greatly benefit from a fresh start somewhere else.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 18, 2022
There are a few teams around the NFL that likely need a quarterback. On Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Denver Broncos quarterback, Russell Wilson may have a significant hamstring injury. Rudolph would make sense there, as he's a clear upgrade over Brett Rypien and journeyman, Josh Johnson. Any late-round draft capital would make it worthwhile for the Steelers to trade Rudolph.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Rudolph wasn't the only name thrown around, either. Wide receiver Chase Claypool has quietly popped up in some trade rumors over the past few weeks, and that continued. It was suggested that he would be a good fit for the Green Bay Packers, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers doesn't exactly have a true No. 1 wide receiver. Claypool has the talent to be that guy, and Rodgers would be the perfect mentor for him. Executives around the league believed he was available before the season began, although the Steelers' asking is quite high.
Claypool is coming off one of the best games of his career this past weekend, racking up seven catches, 96 receiving yards, and his first touchdown of the season. It's been a difficult 2022 season for him thus far, so it was a much-needed performance from the third-year wideout. The game flashed his immense talent, including the unique speed he possesses for his size. While it possibly boosted his trade value, the Steelers could also see it as a reaffirmation of his importance to the team. That holds particularly true with rookie Calvin Austin III still not back from his injury yet.
Last week, it was announced that Washington Commanders cornerback William Jackson III was looking to be moved ahead of the deadline. He didn't travel with the team for Thursday Night Football, signifying both sides are trying to move on. ESPN mentioned the Steelers as one of three teams that would make sense as a potential fit for the veteran corner. We wrote a similar article on just how good (or bad) of a fit Jackson would be in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were clear how interested they were in him in the 2018 NFL Draft process, so there could be actual legs to these rumors.
Credit: Brandon Wade/AP
If the team makes a trade, which of these would you want to see happen? Would you be comfortable moving on from a talented WR like Claypool? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!
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