Overview
- The Steelers released their first Mike McCarthy-era depth chart Wednesday that lists Aaron Rodgers as the starter, Mason Rudolph as the primary backup, Will Howard third and rookie Drew Allar fourth.
- Local reporters including Mark Kaboly and Ray Fittipaldo say Allar has shown better work in early camp than Howard, giving the rookie an informal edge despite his No. 4 placement on the chart.
- Mason Rudolph holds a clear experience advantage because he has started NFL games, while Allar was a third-round pick in 2026 and Howard was a sixth-round pick in 2025 and missed live game action last year.
- Steelers general manager Omar Khan has not ruled out carrying four quarterbacks, which would preserve both Allar and Howard on the roster but would require sacrificing a spot elsewhere when the 53-man roster is set.
- The competition now turns to preseason game reps, quarterbacks’ health and late-August roster cuts, which will determine whether the team keeps three QBs with Rudolph as QB2 or finds room to evaluate Allar and Howard longer.