The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 preseason with four quarterbacks and no easy way to keep all of them. Aaron Rodgers remains the unquestioned starter, while Mason Rudolph entered training camp as the trusted veteran backup under Mike McCarthy.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
That leaves Will Howard and Drew Allar competing for their places in Pittsburgh's future. Both young quarterbacks strengthened their cases during the Steelers' 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers, but their success may have made the roster situation even more complicated.
Howard completed seven of his nine attempts for 86 yards and directed an 80-yard touchdown drive during the two-minute offense. Allar followed with 153 passing yards and three total touchdowns, giving Pittsburgh encouraging performances from both developmental quarterbacks.
Steelers analyst Mark Kaboly believes the organization will ultimately prioritize Allar and leave Howard vulnerable when the roster is reduced to 53 players. While speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday, Kaboly was asked which three quarterbacks would make the Steelers' final roster if the team ultimately decides against keeping all four.
"Rodgers is one, Mason is two, and Allar is three," Kaboly said. "It has to be Allar, and I hate to do that to Will because, I mean..."
Kaboly's projected order makes sense based on Pittsburgh's current depth chart and investment in each player. Allar was selected 76th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Steelers are clearly trying to determine whether he can become their starter after Rodgers retires.
However, moving forward with Rudolph as QB2 would represent an overly cautious decision. The Steelers already know what Rudolph provides after watching him throughout several different stages of his career. He has proven that he can stabilize the offense when needed, but Pittsburgh has also given him plenty of opportunities to establish himself as something more.
The organization should begin preparing for life beyond Rodgers. Howard and Allar offer unknown upside, while Rudolph represents familiarity. Keeping the veteran simply because he is the safest option could prevent Pittsburgh from obtaining the information it needs about two younger quarterbacks.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Howard deserves an extended opportunity with the first-team offense against the New York Jets. Kaboly believes that type of assignment would provide Pittsburgh with its clearest evaluation yet.
"A lot of it has to do with practice also," Kaboly said. "You know Rodgers is making the team, and you know Allar is making the team. Don't you want to see Will Howard, that fire-squad type thing, go out there with the ones? That would be the perfect situation this week with the Jets if Pittman and Metcalf, your groupings, aren't there that he wants to see for a while. That would tell you a lot about how far Will Howard has really come this year."
That opportunity should be considered essential. Howard missed the entire 2025 preseason after suffering a hand injury and spent most of his rookie year without meaningful game experience. Pittsburgh cannot responsibly determine his future without first seeing how he operates alongside better players and against stronger competition.
His performance against Green Bay provided a useful beginning. Howard started slowly but recovered, made accurate throws and successfully managed the two-minute offense. He did not produce the explosive highlights Allar delivered, but he maximized the opportunities available to him.
The problem is that Howard may have played too well for Pittsburgh to quietly move him onto the practice squad. Every encouraging throw creates more tape for quarterback-needy teams, and the Steelers would lose control of the process once he is exposed to waivers.
Steelers Cannot Sacrifice Will Howard For Familiarity
If Pittsburgh refuses to move away from Rudolph, keeping all four quarterbacks becomes the responsible outcome. Carrying four would cost the Steelers depth elsewhere, but losing Howard before fully evaluating him could become far more damaging than sacrificing one roster spot.
The better depth chart would place Rodgers first, Howard second and Allar third. That structure would allow Pittsburgh to accelerate Howard's evaluation while continuing to develop Allar without forcing him into immediate responsibility. Rudolph would become the odd man out, not because he played poorly, but because the organization must eventually prioritize its future.
Kaboly's projection may ultimately prove correct because NFL teams frequently choose veteran security. Still, Pittsburgh should not allow comfort to become a distraction from its long-term quarterback search. Howard earned a larger opportunity against Green Bay, and giving him first-team work against the Jets is the only way to discover how far he has truly come.
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