In a notable development for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team has opted to retain four quarterbacks on their roster, a decision that has significant implications for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This marks the first time in his 22-year NFL career that Rodgers has found himself in such a situation, as the Steelers have chosen to keep both Will Howard and Drew Allar, avoiding exposing them to the waiver wire.
Rodgers, who has played for the Green Bay Packers and now the Steelers, commented on this unusual setup during a press conference. "I was thinking it was a possibility, but I don't think I've been on a roster with four quarterbacks," he stated, as reported by Brooke Pryor of ESPN. He acknowledged the trade-offs involved in this decision, noting that keeping four quarterbacks means sacrificing a spot for another position. However, he expressed confidence that the four quarterbacks currently on the roster are among the best 53 players available.
This season is particularly significant for the Steelers, as it coincides with what could be Rodgers' final year in the league. With his impending retirement, the team faces uncertainty regarding its future at the quarterback position. Mason Rudolph, Howard, and Allar are all vying for the chance to take over once Rodgers steps away from the game, potentially setting the stage for a competitive battle for the starting role in 2027.
Rodgers has expressed his support for his younger counterparts, saying, "I'm happy for all those guys. Obviously looking to the future, those other three guys are going to have a chance when I'm done." He has been particularly impressed with the growth of Howard and Allar, who have shown promise during training camp and in their preseason performances.
Historically, the Packers had a structured plan for transitioning from Rodgers to Jordan Love, who was drafted in the first round in 2020 and spent three seasons learning behind Rodgers. In contrast, the New York Jets, where Rodgers played last season, lacked a clear succession plan, resulting in a rotation of quarterbacks that included Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor before they traded for Geno Smith.
The Steelers drafted Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and Allar in the third round of the 2026 draft. Rodgers, who has been observing their development from afar, noted their impressive performances in the recent preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He remarked, "I thought the entire camp, it was never too big for them. They looked really comfortable out there, and I thought they did a lot of good things moving the football, being efficient."
Reflecting on his own early career, Rodgers compared his experiences to those of Howard and Allar. He recalled that his first preseason was challenging, stating, "I didn't play good until about the second half of the fourth preseason game." He believes that both Howard and Allar are ahead of where he was at that stage and praised their understanding of the offense and ability to manage the game effectively.
As Rodgers prepares for what may be his last season, the dynamics within the Steelers' quarterback room will be closely watched, particularly as the team looks to build for the future while still competing in the present.
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