Steelers Could Have Drew Allar's Name Mentioned In Trade Talks As The Polarizing Quarterback Market Takes Shape

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the other 31 teams around the NFL are going to start to evaluate where their teams are and how that compares with what was expected going into the regular season. This usually determines whether or not a team will pursue any bold in-season moves, which would have to happen before the NFL's trade deadline after Week 9 on Tuesday, November 10th. The Steelers may not look to make any radical additions, but the team probably isn't going to sell either unless they're depth players that aren't really moving the needle for Pittsburgh when it comes to winning games.

A position group that the Steelers could make a move at would be the quarterback position. The Steelers are one of the few teams in the league that decided to keep four quarterbacks on the active roster for the 2026 season, and the injury carousel at quarterback has already begun just three games into the year. When quarterbacks get hurt, teams like to make moves at the position. This is what Jeremy Fowler mentioned in a recent article for ESPN.

"Three teams -- the Eagles, Browns and Steelers -- are carrying four quarterbacks and probably would welcome a deal at the right price," Fowler wrote. "And more injuries at the position will cause more trade talk. We've already seen six established starters go down through the first three weeks."

The quarterback injuries around the league have been rough to begin the year, but a few of those teams have decent, established backups. However, there are others like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who could be relying on an undrafted free agent to be the starter. This may force a team like Tampa Bay to call Pittsburgh, and Dan Graziano mentioned that Mason Rudolph might not be the only trade target in the room in Pittsburgh.

"I also wonder whether the Steelers will try to get something for Will Howard or Drew Allar, since it's hard to see them needing both moving forward," Graziano wrote.

Rudolph has always been thought to be the logical trade target for other teams around the league. He is on an expiring contract, and he has decent experience as a starting quarterback in the NFL. He has played well enough to go on winning streaks and he even started a playoff game. However, Graziano mentions both Drew Allar and Will Howard as well.

Both Allar and Howard are under contract through at least the 2028 season, and they each showed some promising signs during the preseason. It is clear to see that Allar probably has more of a chance of being a quality starter for an NFL franchise, which could mean that Howard would be more likely to be traded if a move were to be made.

The Steelers have spoken highly about both of these younger players, and it feels like the only way that one would be moved is if a crazy offer comes in that cannot be refused. It doesn't seem like there is a world where Allar would be dealt, although he was mentioned by Graziano, but a move for Howard is likely on the table. However, it might take more than some seventh-round pick to convince the Steelers to move on from him.

Steelers Need As Many Shots At A Franchise Quarterback As Possible

Having both Allar and Howard on the roster represents some opportunity. Aaron Rodgers is gone after the 2026 season, and the Steelers need to start to find their next franchise quarterback. Some believe that could be Allar, some believe it could be Howard. Either way, if there is a chance that either quarterback is that player, the franchise needs to keep both of them. The only quarterback that arguably should be traded if a good enough offer comes in is Rudolph, as the franchise already knows what he is capable of as a starter.

What do you think about this report from Fowler and Graziano? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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