The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves navigating an increasingly crowded quarterback room following the signing of third-round rookie Drew Allar.
With veteran Aaron Rodgers returning for another season and the team already carrying Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, the addition of Allar creates an untenable situation on a 53-man roster.
Keeping four quarterbacks would force the franchise to sacrifice valuable spots that could otherwise go to players who contribute more meaningfully on game days.
Justin Carter of FanSided has pointed out that this development makes one current member of the room essentially expendable, and it could end up being a fan favorite: Howard.
The Steelers’ offseason moves, including re-signing Rodgers and bringing in head coach Mike McCarthy, signal a clear intent to compete for a playoff berth in the present rather than fully rebuilding around youth. That approach favors stability and experience in the backup role behind Rodgers.
Between Rudolph and Howard, the decision leans heavily toward retaining the more seasoned option.
Rudolph, while never regarded as an elite talent, has proven he can step in and provide a steady presence for stretches of a season. His career record and substantial number of pass attempts offer a known quantity that could help keep the team competitive if Rodgers were to miss time due to injury.
Howard, by contrast, is a sixth-round selection who has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL. With Allar now positioned as the developmental prospect the organization will look to develop for a potential larger role after Rodgers departs, Howard’s path forward in Pittsburgh appears blocked.
Fans who still hold out hope for Howard’s upside may prefer to see him kept over Rudolph, but that preference often stems from the lingering frustration of the post-Ben Roethlisberger era and the desire for an unproven young arm to emerge.
The current roster construction prioritizes both immediate competitiveness and longer-term planning. Rudolph better serves the 2026 goals, while Allar represents the investment in a possible future starter.
That leaves Howard as the most logical candidate to seek opportunity elsewhere, ideally with a club that has thinner quarterback depth and can offer him a clearer chance to develop.
In the end, the signing of Allar has clarified the hierarchy. The Steelers are set up to keep a veteran presence capable of bridging any short-term gaps and a promising rookie for the years ahead, making it highly unlikely that all of the current quarterbacks remain once final roster cuts arrive.
