Steelers Likely To Consider The Unthinkable At Quarterback In 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the more interesting quarterback situations in the NFL, and the drama was increased when it was announced that Aaron Rodgers would be re-signing with the team ahead of the first session of Organized Team Activities (OTAs). The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster with Rodgers, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and rookie Drew Allar. This is a good mix of experience, as well as some developmental players like Howard and Allar. Rodgers is the clear cut starter, but there are some questions when it comes to how the quarterback room will fall behind him.

Fans have been excited by Howard ever since he was drafted in the sixth round back in 2025, but the organization drafting Allar in the third round in 2026 certainly hurts Howard's chances of having a legitimate future in Pittsburgh. Team's usually only keep three quarterbacks on the roster going into the regular season, and many believe that Rudolph or Howard would be the quarterback cut. Rudolph has legitimate experience as an NFL quarterback and has won games for the Steelers in the past, but fans would probably opt to keep the two younger quarterbacks behind Rodgers.

Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning, and he brought up a different solution for the Steelers. He suggested that the team could consider keeping four quarterbacks on the roster heading into the regular season.

"I am just talking myself into keeping four and biting the bullet this year," Kaboly said. "I don't think they'll do it. But what are we talking about here? Are we talking about the sixth receiver? The seventh defensive back? Or the four or five guys they make inactive on game days? Is that really worth it over hanging onto, say Will Howard for another year just to see? Because you're going to be light in quarterback experience next year."

Traditionally teams only carry three quarterbacks on the active roster heading into the regular season, and on game days, the third quarterback is uniform, but is actually considered inactive. He is the emergency third quarterback, which a rule the league implemented recently. The Steelers actually technically kept four quarterbacks in 2025, but Howard was on Injured Reserve (IR) to begin the season.

The IR loop hole is a good opportunity to explore for Pittsburgh if the organization wanted to keep four quarterbacks. It isn't lying, but it is sort of embellishing an injury. Howard seemingly did not need to be on IR for as long as he was in 2025, but the team was able to stash him there. Once he came back, Skylar Thompson went on IR. Maybe the Steelers will try to do something similar if the opportunity presents itself, however it would hinder that player's development since they would not be allowed to practice.

Steelers Would Need To Trim Down Another Position Group

The issue with keeping four quarterbacks on the active roster is that it takes another roster spot away from a different position group. This eliminates some depth at another position while also taking a player away from the roster that could probably contribute on special teams. If this were to happen, the obvious choice for Pittsburgh would be defensive back. The top players in the room are currently Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Asante Samuel Jr., and Brandin Echols. Daylen Everette will probably get his spot as well since he was a third-round pick. 

A player like Donte Kent may miss out so that the team can keep an extra quarterback, especially with the team having other capable returners on special teams.

What do you think about the Steelers potentially keeping four quarterbacks? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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