The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback room is entering the season under unique circumstances. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers is embarking on his farewell season after being reunited with head coach Mike McCarthy. But one reporter has questions about his backups.

While fans have been eager to see how the front office transitions into the future, Steelers insider Mike Prisuta recently delivered a harsh dose of reality regarding the team’s backup quarterback situation involving Drew Allar and Will Howard.

"I can’t see how either one of them would," Prisuta stated as per reports of steelersnation.com. "Well, I mean, let’s see how it plays out. Maybe one of them gets hurt again. Maybe one of them stinks so bad in the preseason, they just decided, whoops, swing and a miss." 

Prisuta does not believe that young Big Ten draft picks Drew Allar or Will Howard will secure the coveted QB2 spot. Instead, Prisuta expects veteran Mason Rudolph to retain the backup job he held in 2025. 

However, reports suggest that keeping Rudolph on the roster will create a major financial and roster crunch. Carrying four quarterbacks is incredibly difficult without hurting the depth of the rest of the team. Moving on from Rudolph would free up his $3.75 million contract.

Additionally, Young quarterbacks Allar and Howard desperately need real game experience to grow into future leaders, but they won't get those crucial playing-time opportunities if Rudolph takes the backup snaps before Rodgers retires at the end of the year. 

Reports suggest Howard has the edge over Rudolph in the QB role 

Will Howard was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and is yet to make his first NFL appearance.

Aaron Rodgers and Allar have locked up their spots on the final roster. That leaves Howard and Rudolph fighting for the final quarterback position, as teams rarely carry four passers into the season.

"The more I think about this, it’s not necessarily a competition between Rudolph and Howard,” Athletic beat writer Mike DeFabo added. “It’s an evaluation to determine if Howard is ready to be QB2, even if Rudolph is objectively more prepared or better by the end of camp."

According to DeFabo, per Steeler Nation, everyone knows what Rudolph brings to the table. He is a predictable, career backup who lacks consistency. Coach McCarthy would likely rather gamble on his own knack for developing young talent by choosing Howard.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote