On Wednesday, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger seemed to give a vote of confidence to have Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback in 2022.
But as NFL Insider John Clayton tells the PM Team “haven’t seen him do enough in his times out there to merit that,” when it comes to giving Rudolph a chance.
Clayton adds that if the Steelers want to have a winning season they need a veteran journeyman under center.
Of course Aaron Rodgers rumors have been swirling for months that he’ll want out of Green Bay after the season and that he wants to play with Mike Tomlin
Clayton says he thinks a 1st and a 3rd round pick could be a “possibility” to bring him here.
“It could be more, but the way these trades go, sometimes it’s going to be hard particularly guys with big gap numbers and guys that are older to be able to get the full value, so first and a third, I think it’s a possibility,” said Clayton.
But it will be difficult to get Rodgers. If that doesn’t work out, Clayton suggests Kirk Cousins as a possible replacement for Roethlisberger, calling him a “viable option.”
“Take the gamble, I mean again, maybe in Pittsburgh he can do a real good job and again it’s not like he’s been a failure,” said Clayton. “He’s done good thing in Washington, he’s done good things in Minnesota . . . I think he’s got to be a viable option if they do trade him.”
Cousins is under contract for one more year with Minnesota and is set to make $35 million in 2022.
Clayton says another name that would work for Pittsburgh is Jimmy Garoppolo another option if the 49ers are willing to trade him.
Another option Clayton mentions is drafting Pitt QB Kenny Pickett. If that happens, he believes it will be Rudolph starting the year for Pittsburgh.