Proposed Trade Sees Cowboys Acquire ‘Unique Passer’ From Hated Rival

Getty The Cowboys could be interested in a trade for Steelers QB Mason Rudolph.

It looks like the Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a new quarterback.

Not only did the Cowboys lose an ugly 19-3 opener versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they lost their best player for an extended period of time. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported after the game that quarterback Dak Prescott would be sidelined for six to eight weeks after suffering a thumb injury that required surgery on September 12.

Following the game, owner and general manager Jerry Jones declared that Cooper Rush would be the starting quarterback moving forward. However, the former undrafted free agent has just one career start to his name. Considering Dallas has only one other quarterback on its roster — practice squad QB Will Grier, who has never won an NFL game — it’s fair to assume the Cowboys will target a quarterback.

Fowler Proposes Cowboys Acquire Rudolph for Day 3 Pick

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler proposed that the Cowboys could show interest in a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, who started eight games for the Steelers in 2019 while Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined. This year, he fell to third on the quarterback depth chart behind starter Mitch Trubisky and rookie first-round pick Kenny Pickett. Rudolph holds a respectable 5-4-1 record as a starter.

“If the Cowboys do explore the quarterback market, they would be wise to call the Pittsburgh Steelers on Mason Rudolph, who is currently relegated to third string despite a strong preseason,” Fowler wrote on September 12. “Pittsburgh received trade interest on him before roster cuts but would need a decent return to deal him. Giving up a Day 3 pick for a QB with a 5-4-1 record as a starter could be a prudent option for Dallas.”

The Cowboys hold a bloated number of picks in the 2023 draft. Not only do they hold all of their original selections, but they are projected to have three compensatory picks.

Via Marc Delucchi of SB Nation:

“Who knows if Dallas or Jimmy Garoppolo is interested, but the Cowboys have all of their picks in 2023, are expected to get 3 comp picks, and clearly want to win now,” Delucchi tweeted on September 11. “Jimmy’s contract would put Dallas over the cap, but the Niners could easily retain a chunk of his base salary.”

Why Rudolph Is Appealing Option for Cowboys

Considering the Steelers have little use for Rudolph moving forward, they could capitalize on the Cowboys’ injury to their star quarterback. The Cowboys already have a number of injuries to key positions, such as offensive tackle and wide receiver.

Though Rudolph is not known as a playmaker, he has experience playing for a winning organization and he’s managed to last five years in Pittsburgh despite criticism from the fan base. That’s the definition of a quarterback who is accustomed to surviving under pressure.

Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton wrote on August 29 that Rudolph is a “unique passer” with the ability to throw the deep ball.

“Rudolph is a unique passer, not boasting a strong arm but able to throw deep balls effectively thanks to his touch and arc,” Wharton wrote.

Outside of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Rudolph is likely the most appealing option on the market. Considering Garoppolo holds a no-trade clause and plays for an NFC rival, Rudolph is likely the easier of the two to acquire.

If the Cowboys try and fail in pursuit of Garoppolo, Rudolph could be the next best option.