Mike McCarthy disputes Steelers' QB decision after preseason disaster

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback decision apparently is not finished after all. Head coach Mike McCarthy pushed back against a report that Will Howard and Drew Allar had already secured places on the final roster, adding another twist to a crowded room following Friday’s dreadful offensive performance.

Mike McCarthy says Steelers roster remains undecided

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Pittsburgh planned to retain both young quarterbacks. That would give the Steelers four at the position once Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph are included.

McCarthy, however, disputed the idea that any final call had been made.

“I haven’t been part of any conversations where the 53 has been selected already,” McCarthy said. “Any position, any realm. We definitely have ideas.”

That distinction is important. Pittsburgh may want to keep Howard and Allar, but wanting four quarterbacks and actually carrying four into the regular season are different conversations.

The Steelers could attempt to move one through waivers and onto the practice squad. They could also entertain a trade involving Rudolph, although removing an experienced backup behind the 42-year-old Rodgers would create another obvious risk.

None of those choices became easier Friday night.

Howard started against the New York Jets and completed 10 of 15 attempts for 74 yards. He also threw two interceptions as Pittsburgh was shut out 17 to 0. Allar followed by completing 11 of 23 passes for 110 yards. Neither quarterback led a scoring drive.

It was the sort of night that should keep jobs open, not settle them.

Howard and Allar receive one final opportunity

McCarthy said Pittsburgh has deliberately used different personnel combinations to evaluate the younger portion of its roster. He also warned that the final preseason game has changed roster decisions in the past.

“The depth of your football team is something that really comes out of this third game,” McCarthy said. “There are times where guys step up in that last game and you go, ‘Whoa,’ and it makes those decisions after the game even harder.”

Howard and Allar should receive another lengthy audition Thursday against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers and Rudolph have little to prove during a preseason finale, leaving the younger quarterbacks to sort through the wreckage from Friday.

The pressure may be heavier on Howard. Pittsburgh selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he lost his entire rookie season to injury. The Steelers could expose him to waivers, though doing so would risk losing a developmental quarterback before seeing what he can become.

Allar carries the protection of being a 2026 draft pick and represents a more recent investment. Cutting him would be a shock. That does not guarantee he is ready to serve as Rodgers’ eventual successor, especially after completing fewer than half his passes against New York.

Pittsburgh reportedly sees room for both players. McCarthy is not ready to stamp that paperwork just yet.

After Friday’s mess, nobody should blame him.