Broncos don’t need another QB despite prediction that team could land one

The Denver Broncos plan to have Bo Nix back and healthy by the start of training camp next month, but the backup quarterback position remains a question following Jarrett Stidham’s lackluster performance in last year’s AFC Championship Game.

This has prompted ideas that the Broncos could look for a new backup quarterback this offseason, with the latest coming from Alex Kay at Bleacher Report. Kay discussed the most likely cap casualties around the league and predicts that the Pittsburgh Steelers could clear their logjam at quarterback behind starter Aaron Rodgers by cutting ties with veteran Mason Rudolph.

Not only that, Kay predicts that the Broncos could be the team to give Rudolph his next deal. Here was his analysis:

“The Pittsburgh Steelers are running it back with Aaron Rodgers after he helped guide the team to an AFC North title and playoff appearance in his first season.

With Rodgers firmly entrenched as the starter for 2026, Pittsburgh appears to have just two backup quarterback spots available and three candidates competing for them.

That could leave veteran Mason Rudolph on the outside looking in.

Rudolph has spent most of the past eight seasons serving as Pittsburgh’s primary backup and occasional starter. After a brief stint with the Tennessee Titans in 2024, he returned to the Steelers and immediately slotted in behind Rodgers. The circumstances around Rudolph have changed drastically, however, and could lead to a depth chart shakeup.

With longtime head coach Mike Tomlin no longer in charge, new head coach Mike McCarthy may prefer to use the backup roles to develop his younger quarterbacks. Sixth-round pick Will Howard and rookie third-rounder Drew Allar both offer long-term upside that Rudolph, who turns 31 in July, no longer provides.

To Rudolph’s credit, he has been a reliable option when called upon—throwing for 3,395 yards and 21 touchdowns while compiling an 8-5-1 record as Pittsburgh’s starter. The Steelers must now decide whether retaining an experienced veteran is worth taking valuable practice reps away from two developmental prospects learning behind Rodgers.

Rudolph is entering the final season of a two-year, $7.5 million contract, making him affordable by quarterback standards. Pittsburgh may value youth and roster flexibility more, however, meaning Rudolph could be expendable.

The Steelers might attempt to carry four quarterbacks or explore trade options, but neither outcome seems particularly likely. If no trade materializes, Rudolph might find himself released before Week 1.

Should that happen, the Denver Broncos would be a logical landing spot. The Broncos need an upgrade to Jarrett Stidham in wake of last year’s AFC Championship Game calamity, and Rudolph fits the bill as the ideal QB2 behind Bo Nix.”

For starters, there is no guarantee that Stidham will even be the Broncos’ No. 2 option this season as Sam Ehlinger is firmly in the mix for that job heading into camp. Beyond that, it’s highly questionable whether Rudolph would be an upgrade over either of those guys.

Rudolph could be a good option in an emergency situation, but the Broncos don’t have one. Stidham and Ehlinger are much more familiar with Sean Payton’s offense and what he is looking for with this team and though Rudolph is an experienced option, it wouldn’t make any sense to bring him in ahead of either of those players.

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For Broncos fans still lamenting the performance Stidham had in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots last year, there were many factors for that defeat. Stidham did not play well, but he got almost no help while the team had to navigate through blizzard conditions. It was an unfortunate result, but certainly not a reason to make a panic move like this one.

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