NFL Trade Rumor: Seattle Seahawks urgently linked to $17M Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback amid Sam Darnold’s Week 1 hip injury

Sam Darnold suffered a brutal hip injury in the 2026 season opener while playing against the New England Patriots, their Super Bowl LX rivals. He limped as he walked toward the medical tent. The injury caused an unusual strain in his hip.“The hip is intact, and it’s good. It’s more of a muscle thing. How long that is, we don’t know yet, but really, really good news,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald told Seattle Sports.Seahawks could trade for Steelers QB Mason RudolphThough Sam Darnold’s positive injury status seems like good news, suggesting that the Super Bowl champ could be back on the gridiron soon, he is expected to miss the Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 20.What if he has to miss Week 3 too? In that case, Drew Lock would inherit the responsibilities.And if Drew Lock gets hurt, then 2025 third-round pick Jalen Milroe will have to take care of the fort. Milroe’s preseason presence was not of much help.So, it would be all on Drew Lock alone. What if someone from a different organization came in to take care of the Super Bowl LX- winning team?Enter: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. He would be perfect for the Seahawks. Because the Steelers are crowded [Will Howard, Drew Allar], and Aaron Rodgers takes care of himself on the gridiron and even leads the team to a division title. We saw that in 2025. So, Rudolph may have to spend another season on the sidelines.Mason Rudolph filled in for Ben Roethlisberger in PittsburghFanSided’s Brendan Howe suggests Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph for the Seattle Seahawks. The 31-year-old signal-caller could help Seattle in the short term.The 8th-year pro had a rocky start in Pittsburgh amid Ben Roethlisberger’s reign. The two-time Super Bowl champ was not happy with Rudolph’s addition; he wanted a wide receiver instead.Roethlisberger reportedly expressed that the Steelers signed Rudolph because they were desperate for a third Super Bowl. Under Roethlisberger’s regime, Pittsburgh had had two Super Bowl wins.But if the Steelers saw Super Bowl-level potential in Mason Rudolph even before he entered the league, the same could come in handy for the Seattle Seahawks. Who, too, are desperate for their fourth Super Bowl win, and if it comes the very next year? Then why not.Plus, if the Seahawks need someone to step in when their Super Bowl champ Sam Darnold is injured, who better than Mason Rudolph? Rudolph stepped in for Roethlisberger when he missed almost the entire 2019 season with an elbow injury. So, there! We solved the Seattle puzzle.Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy praises Mason RudolphTo top it? Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is all praise for Rudolph. “Mason has a great command of the offense,” McCarthy said in August 2026.“Just pure on the field game day, he’s very experienced. He’s a strong personality in the locker room. I really like his command and understanding of the offense.He’s been through a number of systems. He’s been asked to do things differently for how we believe in how the quarterback position is played. He’s done an excellent job.”When the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, all they chanted about was their impeccable defense. That means their offense was probably weak somewhere. The Seahawks finished the 2025 season ranked 7th in total offense.If Mason Rudolph, whose offense is highly appreciated by the Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike McCarthy, comes to a weak-offense team like Seattle, then maybe the Seahawks could have another try at Super Bowl LXI. All speculation here! Only time will tell if this comes to any fruition.As for the Steelers veteran QB’s contract details? Rudolph is currently in his second year of the two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. His total career earnings over eight seasons are $17 million. What if he could prove himself in Seattle? Like Sam Darnold did last year…and look what he became! One new environment and he straight-away went for the Super Bowl!Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.