Steelers Hit With Harsh Truth About Rostering Four Quarterbacks

New head coach Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason with the conversation of rostering four quarterbacks in 2026 being a legitimate hot topic. Usually, that isn't a type of roster decision that many teams do, nor does it help maximize the 53 spots on an active roster. Nonetheless, this is an option that they have been experimenting with because of drafting Will Howard and Drew Allar in back to back draft classes. Some are skeptical that either young quarterback can serve as the backup over Mason Rudolph this season.

Considering the state of the backup job, Pittsburgh may keep Rudolph just to be around in the event that Aaron Rodgers gets hurt. At 42-years-old, Rodgers is at big risk to get injured. He can't take hits like he used to, so having a strong backup quarterback is actually very important for this team this season.

At the same time though, Rodgers will not be back next season and these reps are very important for the young signal-callers in the organization. If they want any chance at having Howard or Allar come in and give them any chance at positive production, they need reps this season. Whether that's as the backup during the season or on scout team, they need as many as they can get.

The only problem is, they won't get many reps if Rudolph stays. During the season, Rodgers and Rudolph will take the majority of the reps during practices. That leaves Howard and Allar splitting the time on the scout team offense. Usually, the young, developing quarterback gets all of the reps on scout team. With two developing QBs, it will be much harder for both of them to experience consistent quality reps. That changes everything for this decision. 

Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh gave some insight on this situation on the Locked on Steelers Podcast with Christopher Carter. 

"Here’s the thing about keeping four [quarterbacks], is where’s the practice reps gonna come from the two young guys," Farabaugh asked. "If they keep four, Rudolph is the backup. There’s like no scenario where they keep four and Howard’s the backup. It doesn’t really make any sense. So, the two young guys are gonna have to split in-season reps… There’s not a lot of reps to go around during an in-season practice."

If the Steelers go all in on a quarterback next offseason, it would make this decision a lot easier, but this situation is difficult to predict. So with that uncertainty, Pittsburgh should plan ahead to get these quarterbacks acclimated to professional football as much as they can. Allar is more protected to stay since he was drafted this spring, leaving the decision between Howard or Rudolph. 

On the show, they suggested putting Howard on waivers and risking other teams taking him to try and get him on the practice squad. That's a big risk, but it would help this organization out a lot if that manifested. If they decide to move on, the hope would be to work out a trade so they could maximize their value between what Rudolph brings, or the future that Howard may have in the Steel City.

Steelers' Future Can't Afford To Roster Four Quarterbacks In 2026

Training camp is starting up in a couple of weeks and then Pittsburgh will get the opportunity to watch Allar and Howard in the preseason. This opportunity is arguably the most important this summer and will play a massive role in how the Steelers' quarterback situation looks post-Rodgers.

Keeping four quarterbacks means one less spot another position group could potentially have. The question is, how will that decision affect the Steelers' future.

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