It is rare, but not unprecedented, for NFL teams to have four quarterbacks on their roster to start a season. The Steelers have long been seen as candidates to do so in 2026. Aaron Rodgers’ second season with the Steelers will also be the last of his career. Pittsburgh will also have third-round rookie Drew Allar. 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran Mason Rudolph represent the Steelers’ other backup options. With Rodgers in place to handle starting duties once again and Allar a candidate to compete for the No. 1 job in 2027, many have noted that there is only one spot available between Howard and Rudolph. Head coach Mike McCarthy has not confirmed his intentions should all four quarterbacks remain healthy pending roster cuts, but he has not ruled out the possibility of keeping each of them in place. On that note, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that there’s a “growing possibility” the Steelers won’t make any QB cuts this summer. That approach would avoid the possibility of Rodgers being backed up by two quarterbacks who have yet to participate in the NFL regular season. Instead, Rudolph would remain Pittsburgh’s backup for one more year. He was a favorite of the previous coaching staff, and that seems to have carried over to McCarthy. “I can’t express how happy I am with him,” McCarthy said of Rudolph. “I think the experience he has gained is incredibly valuable to us.” The 31-year-old has logged 19 starts in his six-year career, including 14 in Pittsburgh and one last year when Rodgers was sidelined with wrist fractures. It appears Rudolph will continue to be the next man up, although the Steelers may find developmental value by giving Howard or Allar some regular-season reps. That would only happen if Rodgers got hurt; If the 42-year-old really retires after this season, otherwise it will be difficult, if not impossible, to remove him from the field. Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.
