Steelers May Still Be Searching For An Immediate Upgrade To Follow Aaron Rodgers

For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck with stop-gap quarterback solutions. Ever since Ben Rothlisberger retired after the 2021 season, the team has been left searching. This includes very notably first-round bust Kenny Pickett, who was selected in the first round right after Rothlisberger's retirement. In 2025, Aaron Rodgers showed flashes of good play under center, but, as fans know, he is set to retire after this upcoming season. This, yet again, leaves Pittsburgh in a search for a franchise quarterback.

The 2027 quarterback draft class seemingly appears to be a very strong and appealing group for teams in search of their franchise guys. Pittsburgh is very much planning to select its guy in next year's draft.

Will Howard and Drew Allar are both very intriguing. Both guys were not selected high in their respective drafts, but the two showed flashes in college of what they could possibly bring under center for Pittsburgh in the future. Team reporter Christopher Carter recently brought this up.

"The Steelers do still want to take a first round QB, but that doesn't limit Drew Allar or Will Howard's chances," Carter noted.

With Allar and Howard very capable, but an incoming class that is so deep, if you're Pittsburgh, it might make sense to turn down a first-round quarterback if the opportunity comes about. For Allar, he has shown flashes of being a franchise guy, with elite arm strength and great size. His footwork is what has held him back throughout his career. 

He often sets too wide and then can’t efficiently transfer weight. A wide base can look powerful, but it slows hip rotation, hurts sequencing, and makes throws sail or die when one can’t get off his back foot. This also links to his accuracy being inconsistent. The hope with Mike McCarthy is to start over with Allar's footwork and basically start from scratch in hope of finding something.  

Howard's weaknesses are also very similar and have to do with accuracy and how he works around in the pocket. Often times, he will adjust where he is looking to pass, but doesn't reset his feet. This causes the ball to spray around and, similar to Allar, this causes accuracy issues. 

What Steelers Fans Can Look For With The McCarthy Offense

Steelers fans have a lot to look forward to this year with the new offense under McCarthy. A clearer identity on early downs can lead fans to expect more defined concepts on first and second down: quick-game, play-action, and shot plays tied to the run look. The goal is to stay on schedule and avoid long third downs. 

Both quarterbacks should look to limit turnovers and play within themselves. However, at the same time, they can find ways to get the offense down the field, as the past five years or so have been lackluster on offense. Whatever both quarterbacks can do to affect that, it would open the eyes of the front office and make it start to ponder on the thought of either one of them being the answer.

Ultimately, it is likely that neither guy can convince the team not to take a quarterback for many reasons. The reality is that, barring any injury or just flat-out horrible play by Rodgers, neither quarterback will see the field outside of the preseason. However, they should stay ready as we have seen Rodgers get banged up, and with his old age he very well could be sidelined again. 

This upcoming season plays a huge role in the trajectory of the franchise, and regardless of results within the wins or losses column the front office will keeping an eye on the player under center in hopes of a flash that can lead to any sort of consistency that will jump start a franchise changing action.

#SteelerNation