The details have been revealed for the new contract between the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Mason Rudolph . It was initially reported that the Steelers had signed Rudolph to a two-year, $8 million contract with $4 million guaranteed , but it will actually be less than that.
The Steelers deal with Rudolph is scheduled to pay him $7.5 million over the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and only $3 million of that is guaranteed.
Rudolph will earn a $3 million signing bonus in 2025, along with a $1.5 million salary. In 2026, he has a non-guaranteed salary of $3 million, according to contract details published by Over the Cap on Wednesday.
With those details, Rudolph's salary cap hit for the 2025 season will be $3 million, with a projected cap hit of $4.5 million in 2026.
If the Steelers cut or trade Rudolph after the 2025 season, they would owe him nothing further, and such a move would incur a $1.5 million dead cap hit for 2026, or split between 2026 and 2027 if after June 1.
The $3.75 million average annual value will still make Rudolph one of the higher-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL, assuming the Steelers eventually sign or otherwise acquire a starter.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 23, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
One of the Colts pair of quarterbacks Daniel Jones ($14 million) or Anthony Richardson ($8.5 million) will likely end up as the highest-paid backup, followed by Marcus Mariota of the Washington Commanders ($8 million), Jacoby Brissett of the Arizona Cardinals ($6.25 million), Tyrod Taylor of the New York Jets , Jarrett Stidham of the Denver Broncos and Zach Wilson of the Miami Dolphins ($6 million), Davis Mills of the Houston Texans ($4.1 million), Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers and Josh Dobbs of the New England Patriots ($4 million).
