With quarterback injuries piling up through the first two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly find themselves in an interesting spot: they may have a tradeable backup on their hands.
The name drawing the most attention is Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh is carrying four quarterbacks on its active roster, with Aaron Rodgers installed as QB1 and Rudolph sitting behind him on the depth chart. The Steelers also have second-year Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar in the mix, but Rudolph is the one who looks most likely to attract outside interest.
That’s where the New York Giants enter the picture. After Jaxson Dart went down with a knee injury in Week 2, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report pointed to the Giants as a possible landing spot for Rudolph. Dart’s status for the rest of the season remains uncertain, and Pittsburgh’s depth at the position could give it a chance to turn that surplus into value.
Knox said Rudolph could bring back a conditional 2027 sixth-round pick if a deal gets done.
“With quarterback injuries mounting around the NFL, Pittsburgh might get the opportunity to get something in return for Rudolph,” Knox wrote. “The list of Week 1 starters we’ve seen injured now includes Sam Darnold, Jayden Daniels, Jaxson Dart, and Caleb Williams,” he noted further.
For now, the Giants are set to start Jameis Winston in Dart’s absence. Winston recently signed a two-year $13 million extension, a sign New York wants to keep him in the building. Even so, the Giants still need more help behind center if they want to stay in the race this season.
If they decide to make a move, Rudolph would give them a veteran option who can step in right away and stabilize the position in the short term.
In Other News...
Penn State Staffer Faces Serious Off-Field Legal Trouble
A Penn State football staffer is facing serious off-field legal trouble after police in downtown State College found Jordan Lucas asleep in a vehicle under circumstances that quickly turned into a legal issue. Lucas, an assistant cornerbacks coach, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI along with three summary traffic violations after the stop, which also involved a suspended drivers license and expired vehicle registration.
Penn State has already acknowledged the charges and said Lucas remains with the program while the legal matter continues. For a coaching staff that has spent much of the season trying to keep the focus on the field, the situation adds an unwelcome off-field storyline involving a relatively new face in the defensive room. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Offensive Line Just Got Thinner At The Worst Time
Penn States offensive line took another hit at a bad time, with coach Matt Campbell announcing that Will Tompkins is done for the season because of injury. Tompkins had been part of the early rotation, logging 31 snaps over the first three games after transferring in from Iowa State, and he gave the Nittany Lions another experienced body in a group that can rarely afford to lose one.
The longer-term picture still offers something for Penn State to work with, since Tompkins is expected to keep four years of eligibility after this season. For now, though, his absence leaves the staff with one less option up front as the season keeps moving and the line depth gets put under more pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Just Lost A Dangerous Weapon Before Wisconsin
Penn States receiving group took a hit in the Week 3 win over Buffalo, and it comes at an awkward time with Big Ten play beginning. Koby Howard suffered an injury in that game and head coach Matt Campbell confirmed he will be out for an extended period, leaving the Nittany Lions without their most productive pass catcher heading into Wisconsin.
Howard has led Penn State in receiving yards through three games, so his absence forces a real adjustment in how the offense attacks the field. The injury is not season-ending, but missing him for the opener changes the shape of the passing game and puts more pressure on the rest of the receiving corps to fill the void. [Read more 🡒]