Steelers’ Brutal QB Battle Could End With Surprising Roster Cut

The Pittsburgh Steelers solved their biggest quarterback question when Aaron Rodgers returned, but the rest of the room is still far from settled. Pittsburgh now has four quarterbacks for what usually becomes three roster spots, and that could create one of the more difficult decisions of training camp.

Rodgers is the starter. Drew Allar, as a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is almost certainly part of the developmental plan. That leaves Mason Rudolph and Will Howard in an uncomfortable position. Both can make a reasonable case to stay, but it may be difficult for both to survive the final roster cut.

Mike DeFabo of The Athletic recently pointed to the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart as one of the team’s biggest remaining questions.

“The winner likely gets the QB2 job, while the loser could fall off the 53-man roster entirely,” DeFabo wrote.

That line captures the problem well. This is not only a typical backup quarterback battle. It could be a competition for a roster spot, a developmental timeline, and the future shape of the quarterback room under Mike McCarthy.

Rudolph gives the Steelers the cleaner short-term answer. He has played real NFL snaps, started meaningful games, and understands the pressure that comes with being a backup in Pittsburgh. If Rodgers misses time, Rudolph would give the coaching staff a more experienced option than Howard or Allar. For a team trying to contend immediately, that matters.

The Steelers do not have to pretend Rudolph is a long-term answer to value what he brings. Backup quarterback is often about avoiding disaster. Rudolph has already shown he can enter difficult situations, run an offense, and keep the team competitive. With Rodgers entering the season at 42 years old, there is a practical argument for keeping the veteran safety net.

Howard’s argument is built more around upside and patience. The Steelers drafted him in the sixth round in 2025, and even though that does not guarantee him a long runway, he is still a young quarterback the team invested in. Cutting him after one year would not be shocking, but it would close the door before Pittsburgh truly learns what he can become.

The issue for Howard is the timing. The Steelers drafted Allar one year later, and a third-round investment carries more weight than a sixth-round one. Allar may be behind Howard in terms of time spent around the organization, but his draft slot and physical traits make him difficult to expose. Pittsburgh has already seen promising signs from Allar’s early development, but his first season should still be more about learning than being forced into action.

That creates a real roster math problem. Carrying four quarterbacks would allow the Steelers to keep Rudolph’s experience, Howard’s developmental value, and Allar’s upside. It would also cost them a spot somewhere else. Pittsburgh has enough competition at wide receiver, defensive back, defensive line, and linebacker that using an extra spot on a fourth quarterback may be hard to justify.

There is also the Rodgers factor. The Steelers are building around an older quarterback, and even if they believe Rodgers can still operate the offense at a high level, age adds another layer to the conversation. Keeping Rudolph would give Pittsburgh a backup who has handled regular-season situations before. Moving forward with only Howard and Allar behind Rodgers would be a much bigger bet on youth.

McCarthy’s role in this decision is important. He was not hired only to manage the present. He was brought in to stabilize the offense and help shape what comes next. If he wants a veteran safety net behind Rodgers, Rudolph has the advantage. If he wants to load the room with younger quarterbacks he can develop, Howard becomes harder to move on from. Allar is the newest investment, which likely makes him the safest of the non-Rodgers options.

The Steelers could try to find a creative solution. They could keep all four quarterbacks at first, wait for the roster to settle, and adjust later. They could also hope to get one of the younger passers through to the practice squad, but that comes with risk. Quarterbacks with size, draft pedigree, and developmental traits can attract attention quickly when other teams start dealing with injuries.

Steelers' Quarterback Room Faces Tough Reality

The Steelers are trying to do two things at once. They are attempting to maximize Rodgers’ final stretch while also preparing for life after him. That is a hard balance, and the Rudolph-Howard decision reflects it.

Rudolph represents safety. Howard represents development. Allar represents the newest swing at a future answer. Rodgers represents the present.

By the end of camp, Pittsburgh may have to decide which priority matters most. The Steelers can keep talking about competition for now, but unless they find a creative way to carry four quarterbacks, someone in that room is going to be squeezed out.

It may not be the biggest storyline of the summer, but it could become one of the most revealing.

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