Will Steelers Keep Four Quarterbacks? In a Crowded Field, Allar, Howard and Rudolph Impress During Preseason Play originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Aaron Rodgers has made it clear that he doesn't believe he would gain any advantage by playing in preseason games. That explained his absence when the Steelers faced the Packers on Thursday night. It gave the other QBs fighting for a roster spot a chance to impress.
Given how things went, there could potentially be four QBs on the roster to start the regular season.
First, there’s Drew Allar. The Penn State alum and third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Allar is considered a fourth quarterback option for Pittsburgh. However, he began a strong campaign to occupy the primary backup spot for Rodgers.
Against the Packers, Allar threw for 153 yards, with two passing touchdowns and one rushing TD. It was a near-perfect performance for someone who exceeded expectations and has studied his teammates in the offseason.
Drew Allar's best plays from 153-yard, 3 total TD performance in preseason win over the Packers.@AllarDrew@Steelerspic.twitter.com/0wH4wfcEkY
— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2026"Honestly, I feel like the adjustment for me at the NFL level came during rookie OTAs and OTAs in general," Allar said via CBS Sports. "More specifically, with this training camp cycle and going against a great defense every day with a challenging scheme that really challenges us as an offense. I feel like that really mentally prepared me to go out there and just handle everything.”
Then there’s Will Howard, the second-year QB out of Kansas State and Ohio State. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Howard led Pittsburgh's offense on a successful two-minute drill that led to the game's first touchdown. He had 86 total yards.
Back-to-back big throws by @Steelers QB Will Howard 🎯
GBvsPIT on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/A63di1TNah
At the moment, Howard and Allar fight for a third spot if the Steelers don’t carry a fourth QB. Coach Mike McCarthy was impressed by what he saw from both on Thursday.
"I thought as far as the way they took the play, commanded the huddle. ... I thought they were very poised," McCarthy told ESPN. "I liked the way all three of them played, especially our young guys. I liked the way Will responded. ... He did a good job overcoming some long down on distances, and I thought his two-minute drill was outstanding. And I thought Drew played very, very well."
Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph threw for 93 yards. A former 2018 NFL Draft pick by the Steelers, Rudolph had 19 touchdowns from 2019 to 2023. He threw nine touchdown passes for the Titans in 2024 before returning to Pittsburgh last year.
Rudolph will need to fight Allar and Howard off with a stick, but it appears, as the veteran, he has impressed enough to remain a backup option.
“I can't tell you how pleased I am with him,” McCarthy said of Rudolph via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via NFL.com. “The experience that he's gained, I think, is incredibly valuable to us. But the footwork is different. [The] throws are better than I knew. Just like anything in the quarterback room, you really don't know until you stand next to them or you're out there on the field, really how each guy throws the ball.”
Sometimes it’s not a problem to have more of what you need. In this case, McCarthy has a problem that needs solving: Who will come out of preseason play on the Steelers’ roster?
Will the veteran Rudolph join Rodgers, which dynamic young duo will make the team, or will everyone make the roster? The clock is ticking.
Drew Allar stats vs. PackersCMPATTPass YdsPass TDRush TDRTG101315321154.8Mason Rudolph stats vs. PackersCMPATTPass YdsPass TDRush TDRTG10119300101.9Will Howard stats vs. PackersCMPATTPass YdsPass TDRush TDRTG798600106.5Pittsburgh Steelers preseason schedule 2026WeekDateOpponentTime (ET)/Result1Aug. 13vs. PackersW, 28-92Aug. 21vs. Jets7 p.m.3Aug. 27at Bills7 p.m.Pittsburgh Steelers schedule 2026WeekDateOpponentTime (ET)1Sept. 13vs. Falcons1 p.m.2Sept. 20at Patriots1 p.m.3Sept. 27vs. Bengals1 p.m.4Oct. 1at Browns8:15 p.m.5Oct. 11vs. Colts1 p.m.6Oct. 18at Buccaneers1 p.m.7Oct. 25vs. Saints (Paris)9:30 a.m.8Nov. 1vs. Browns1 p.m.9BYE——10Nov. 15at Bengals8:20 p.m.11Nov. 22at Eagles4:25 p.m.12Nov. 27vs. Broncos3 p.m.13Dec. 6vs. Texans8:20 p.m.14Dec. 14at Jaguars8:15 p.m.15Dec. 20vs. Ravens1 p.m.16TBDvs. PanthersTBD17Jan. 3at Titans1 p.m.18TBDat RavensTBDMore Steelers
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