The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through the motions with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers once again during the 2026 offseason. The NFL Draft just wrapped up and fans still do not know whether or not the four-time league MVP will be returning to Pittsburgh to be the starting quarterback. Fans were assured by decision makers earlier in the offseason that the process would not string out for as long as it did in 2025, but so far it is looking like it will. There is a chance he could retire, but if he does decide to return, it might not be until mandatory minicamp at the start of June.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after regular season game against the Vikings in Dublin, Ireland 2025.
As if Pittsburgh's quarterback situation was not interesting enough, the organization added on to the fun by drafting Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The young quarterback out of Penn State had a rough final season for the Nittany Lions, but he is viewed as a raw prospect that has all of the tools to be successful in the NFL. His skills need some refinement, but the talent is undeniable.
It seems very likely that Rodgers will be returning at some point, but if that does not happen, the Steelers will have an interesting situation playing out with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Allar all in the quarterback room. Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah was asked about this scenario during a recent appearance on the NFL's Path To The Draft.
"I think you could have an open competition with the guys they have there," Jeremiah said. "But to me, Allar is the one who's the most talented player on their roster at that position. I would roll with him. I know he's a rookie, but he's got a ton of ability. He's played a ton of football. His career didn't end up the way he would've liked, but there are stretches of good play. Gotta clean up his footwork a little bit. But that's what I'd like to see. Next year, they're going to more than likely be in the quarterback market in the draft. I'd like to know what I have in Drew Allar before we have to make that decision."
The former NFL scout believes an open competition would be held if Rodgers decides to retire or not return to the Steelers. He focuses mainly on Allar as he believes he has the most talent in the room. That's hard to argue with. He is probably the best athlete in the room, and he almost certainly has the biggest arm as well.
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Steelers' Drew Allar goes through a photoshoot with the team after being drafted in the third round in 2026.
Allar is in a great spot to learn and develop with Mike McCarthy as his head coach, and so is Howard. The organization should already know what it has in Rudolph as he has some starting experience for the organization, and he has proven several times throughout his career that he is nothing more than a reliable backup. If there is a competition, it should come down to Allar and Howard, and Howard has the leg up as he has already been in the league for a season.
Howard doesn't have any true playing experience in the NFL, but being in the league for a year probably helped him when it comes to practice habits and other factors that come into play when being a professional athlete. It would be an interesting battle, and it would be something the fan base would be rooting for.
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Steelers quarterback Will Howard warms up prior to Pittsburgh's 34-12 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Steelers' Will Howard And Drew Allar Already Have History
Howard and Allar are both familiar with each other as the two grew up in similar areas, and they both wound up playing football in the Big Ten. Howard and Allar squared off during the 2024 college football season, and Howard came out on top. Now, there is a chance that the two could be battling again, only this time they'll be wearing the same uniform.
What do you think about Jeremiah's comments on Allar? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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