Mason Rudolph sends warning to Will Howard, Drew Allar after return of Aaron Rodgers

Shortly after Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers confirmed that the 2026 season will be his last as an active player, he revealed that he is excited to continue working with 2025 rookie Will Howard and to begin serving as a mentor for 2026 third-round draft choice Drew Allar.

Those comments understandably caused some outsiders to wonder if longtime backup Mason Rudolph has no real future with the Steelers beyond upcoming preseason games. While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Rudolph made it clear he won't be relinquishing the Steelers' QB2 job without a fight. 

Mason Rudolph the only win-now backup QB on the Steelers' roster?

"This is a veteran team," Rudolph said, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We’re trying to win now. You don’t bring back Aaron Rodgers if you don’t want to win now." 

Howard took no in-game snaps during his debut pro season, and multiple reports have suggested that the Steelers view Allar as a project for the future who probably shouldn't play against a live defense in a meaningful game until 2027. That said, history shows the Steelers likely won't stash four quarterbacks on their active roster once the preseason wraps up. 

"We want to make a playoff push," Rudolph continued. "And I know that I can contribute with that veteran culture." 

Mason Rudolph has proven he can win big games for the Steelers

Late in the 2023 season, the Steelers were 7-7 when Rudolph guided the club to three straight wins and a playoff berth as Kenny Pickett recovered from an ankle injury. On paper, that stretch of play could make Rudolph the best option to be the primary backup on a team that is trying to do more than just make the playoffs with a 42-year-old atop the depth chart. 

"I think you just draw on your experience from all the different situations and combinations that I’ve been through in my career," Rudolph added during his comments. "But I’ve won games here. I know I’m capable of winning games when my number has been called upon. That’s what I’ve done. Each year is a new journey, and you just look forward to pushing forward with the guys in this group and learning new names. But my outlook and approach has not changed. I’m going to take every rep and make the most of it."

Allar likely isn't going anywhere this offseason, meaning head coach Mike McCarthy may need to have some uncomfortable conversations with his staff if Rudolph outplays Howard in a significant way from the first snap of the preseason through Pittsburgh's final game in August.