The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But with now four quarterbacks on their roster, the Steelers will likely be forced to part with one of them.
Rodgers, barring injury, is the unquestioned starter. The Steelers just used a third-round pick on Drew Allar and spent a fifth-rounder on Will Howard a year prior. Based on that draft capital, it seems likely Pittsburgh wants to keep them on their roster.
As for Mason Rudolph, his status is much murkier. The veteran comes with 34 games of NFL experience, including 19 starts. He has thrown for 4,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. But the Steelers must consider their life beyond Rodgers. Keeping the two young QBs on the roster gives Pittsburgh an opportunity to find their passer of the future.
That doesn't mean Rudolph isn't valuable. His experience would play well for a team in the playoff hunt looking for a more experienced option at backup. With the Steelers now in a position to trade him away, these three teams make the most sense as landing spots.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' five-year streak of reaching the postseason ended in 2025. They'll be relying on quarterback Baker Mayfield to bring him back. But currently, his backup is slated to be Jake Browning.
He filled in as Joe Burrow's backup for three games in 2025. But Browning went 0-3, throwing for 771 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Cincinnati Bengals went out and acquired Joe Flacco.
Rudolph would at least give Browning some extra competition. The Buccaneers would want a seamless transition as possible should Mayfield go down.
Detroit Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10) sits on the bench during a Los Angeles Rams offensive series in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium
Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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The Detroit Lions are another team looking to break back into the playoffs in 2026. Jared Goff will be looking to get the Lions' offense back to their explosive roots.
Behind him though is Teddy Bridgewater. He clearly has meant a lot to the organization, spending the 2023-24 seasons with Detroit as well. But Bridgewater hasn't started a game since 2022. He has attempted 15 total passes since then, all coming in 2025 with the Buccaneers.
Bridgewater will likely remain as a key leader for the Lions. But Rudolph would give them a backup with more recent starting experience.
Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones is locked in as the Indianapolis Colts' starter. But backup Anthony Richardson's place on the roster isn't secure. He was been involved in trade rumors throughout the offseason.
If the Colts were to trade Richardson, then Riley Leonard would be the backup. Based on Richardson's injury history and status with the team, Leonard may be the backup anyway.
Rudolph gives the Colts a bit more experience under center. With Jones recovering from an injury of his own, and Indianapolis eyeing a playoff run, that kind of backup QB may be necessary.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But with now four quarterbacks on their roster, the Steelers will likely be forced to part with one of them. Rodgers, barring injury, is the unquestioned starter. The Steelers just used a third-round pick on Drew Allar and spent a fifth-rounder on Will Howard a year prior.