Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Breakdown has floated the Miami Dolphins as a landing spot for Will Howard or Mason Rudolph, citing Miami’s ugly backup quarterback situation behind Malik Willis.
Pittsburgh’s roster is jammed with four quarterbacks heading into cutdown day.
That logjam, paired with Miami’s preseason meltdown, gives this speculation real teeth.
What Farabaugh Actually Said About the Steelers-Dolphins Fit
Farabaugh pointed directly to Miami’s preseason performance as the trigger for his theory.
“One team to watch for either Rudolph or Howard to me is pretty clear right now watching last week in the preseason,” Farabaugh said.
He did not stop there.
“The Miami Dolphins are in absolute quarterback backup h—. The only way to describe it. Quinn Ewers wasn’t very good. They really suffered; Ewers is now hurt. They need a backup quarterback for Malik Willis,” Farabaugh said.
This is analyst speculation from a Steelers insider, not confirmed trade talks between front offices. No source has reported active discussions between Pittsburgh and Miami at this stage.
Steelers’ Crowded Quarterback Room Sets the Stage
Aaron Rodgers returns for one more season as the starter, but Pittsburgh’s depth chart behind him is the real story.
Drew Allar impressed in his preseason debut, giving the coaching staff a rookie worth developing.
Howard finally saw preseason snaps after missing all of 2025 with injury, while Rudolph still offers the most game experience of the group.
Head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff face roster cuts by 6:00 PM ET on August 30.
Keeping all four quarterbacks feels unlikely, which is exactly why trade speculation is heating up now rather than closer to the regular season.
Miami’s Preseason Quarterback Problems Are Real
Ewers struggled badly in Miami’s preseason opener and is now dealing with an injury, according to the primary reporting on Miami’s situation.
That leaves the Dolphins thin behind Willis with limited proven depth on the roster.
The Steelers and Dolphins have a real trade history worth noting here.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick went from Miami to Pittsburgh in 2019, then back to the Dolphins in a June 2025 trade, showing these front offices talk when it makes sense for both sides.
Why This Trade Speculation Has Legs
This is not a report of an imminent deal. This is a plausible scenario built on roster math that actually adds up for both franchises.
Pittsburgh has a surplus problem at quarterback and a coaching staff that needs to trim the room before Week 1.
Miami has a scarcity problem behind Willis and a preseason performance that exposed just how thin that depth chart really is.
When a surplus team and a scarcity team share a trade history, speculation tends to gain momentum fast.
The trade market for backup quarterbacks tends to heat up right before final cuts, when desperate teams overpay for stability.
If Miami’s backup situation stays this rocky, Pittsburgh’s front office should at least field the call, even if nothing materializes before opening weekend against the Falcons.
What Comes Next for Both Franchises
Roster cuts hit on August 30, which is the real deadline that will force Pittsburgh’s hand on this quarterback logjam.
Miami’s preseason schedule will offer more clarity on whether Ewers can return and whether Cam Miller can stabilize the backup role on his own.
Watch for further reporting from Pittsburgh and Miami beat writers in the next two weeks.
Any additional Dolphins injury or poor showing at quarterback would only strengthen Farabaugh’s theory heading into final roster decisions.
For more on how quarterback movement is shaping the league’s roster picture, check out this recent NFL roster-moves report and the latest NFL Super Bowl odds outlook.
