Overview
- Aaron Rodgers signed a one‑year deal to be the Steelers’ 2026 starter and has framed the season as his final NFL year, creating a short‑term push for postseason success.
- Pittsburgh currently carries four quarterbacks on the roster — Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, second‑year Will Howard, and rookie Drew Allar — which is unusual and unsustainable for the regular season.
- Coaches publicly praised Will Howard’s OTAs work, with quarterbacks coach Tom Arth saying Howard is “exceeding expectations,” and NFL analysts naming him an early front‑runner for the primary backup role.
- Veteran Mason Rudolph has been repeatedly identified by insiders as the likeliest roster move candidate after practice clips and reporting showed him taking prominent reps and several outlets called him a trade or cut possibility.
- Coaches say training camp and the preseason will decide the pecking order, with Howard and Allar treated as developing options and any roster moves likely to shape who becomes the Steelers’ long‑term quarterback choice.