‘Growing Possibility’ Steelers Carry Four QBs In 2026

Aaron Rodgers‘ second Steelers campaign will double as the final one of his career. Pittsburgh will also have third-round rookie Drew Allar in the fold. 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran Mason Rudolph represent the Steelers’ other backup options. With Rodgers in place to handle starting duties once again and Allar a candidate to compete for the No. 1 gig in 2027, many have pointed to only one spot being available between Howard and Rudolph.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has not confirmed his intentions in the event all four passers remain healthy through to roster cuts, but he has not ruled out the possibility of keeping each of them in place. On that note, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes there is a “growing possibility” the Steelers will not make any QB cuts this summer. That approach would prevent the possibility of Rodgers being backed up by two passers who have yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL.

Instead, Rudolph would remain Pittsburgh’s backup for another year. He was a favorite of the past coaching staff, and that seems to have carried over to McCarthy.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am with him,” McCarthy said of Rudolph. “The experience that he’s gained, I think, is incredibly valuable to us.” 

The 31-year-old has logged 19 starts in his six-year career, including 14 in Pittsburgh and one last year when Rodgers was sidelined by wrist fractures. It seems like Rudolph will continue to be the next man up, though the Steelers may find developmental value in giving Howard or Allar some regular-season reps. That would still only happen if Rodgers got hurt; if the 42-year-old is truly retiring after this season, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to get him off the field otherwise.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.