Steelers Get Sneak-Peek At Future QB Plans As Organization Looks Ahead

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the few teams in the NFL whose future at the quarterback position is murky. The franchise has options on the roster with Will Howard and Drew Allar, but there isn't a clear future at the position. The organization has been in purgatory at quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger decided to retire following the 2021 season, but the fan base is desperate to find the next franchise quarterback of the Steelers. There is a chance that it could be Howard or Allar, but that does seem like a long shot as both guys were not picked near the top of their respective draft classes.

Between Allar and Howard, Allar seems like the player with the brighter future in the NFL, and with the Steelers. He had the better preseason in 2026, and he seems to have more upside when it comes to his natural ability. The organization also has more invested in him as he was a third-round pick, and he was actually drafted by new head coach Mike McCarthy. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has already announced that he will be retiring after the 2026 season, and backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will be a free agent in March. Things are shaping up for either Howard or Allar to be the opening day starter in 2027, while drafting another quarterback could also be on the table.

Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday morning, and he shared that he believes Allar will get the job going into the 2027 season. He was asked point blank by the hosts who will be lining up under center.

"Oh man," Fittipaldo said. "I will go with Drew Allar."

Allar gave fans in Pittsburgh some reasons for optimism throughout the 2026 preseason. McCarthy focused on rebuilding Allar as a quarterback throughout the offseason and going into training camp, and it seemed to work. This is a developmental year for the rookie quarterback as there is almost zero chance that he sees the field in 2026, but he continues to grow as a professional as he learns from Rodgers and the coaching staff.

As of right now, Allar and Howard are the only quarterbacks under contract for the Steelers going into the 2027 season. That could change in the 2027 NFL Draft, but it is hard to tell where the organization lands on potentially drafting a quarterback high in the event. The quarterback class should be solid, so it will be something that fans get more clarity on after the season ends.

McCarthy has spoken highly of both Allar and Howard, which is part of the reason the Steelers kept four quarterbacks on the active roster going into the regular season. Teams don't usually keep four quarterbacks. Some teams keep just two, while the norm is typically keeping three.

Steelers Starting Drew Allar Is Likely The Right Move

Pittsburgh is a team that has had to go through the natural life cycle of an NFL franchise for quite some time now, and that would mean finishing a season below .500 and moving on from some players for additional draft capital. A season of starting Allar could lead to that happening, and there are a few different scenarios that could come of a season like that -- one being that Allar is awesome and the Steelers are highly competitive. The franchise would then move forward with him as a potential franchise quarterback, that is the best outcome.

The second outcome is that Allar doesn't start off great, but dramatically improves throughout the year and the team finishes around .500, maybe makes the playoffs, maybe doesn't. This would be more of the same for Pittsburgh, but it could mean that the team has its franchise quarterback. The third outcome would be that Allar stinks and the team loses a lot of games. This could lead to Howard coming in, but it most likely means a high draft pick and a new quarterback in 2028.

Who do you want to be the opening day starter in 2027? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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