Steelers Keep 4 Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar on Roster

Roster Construction and the Four-Quarterback Decision

Most NFL franchises typically carry two or three quarterbacks on the active roster, often stashing an emergency option on the practice squad. However, the Steelers opted for a rare four-quarterback approach as Aaron Rodgers enters what is widely anticipated to be his final NFL season. According to USA Today, Rodgers will anchor the starting job for 2026 before retirement, while Mason Rudolph plays out the final year of his contract as the primary backup.

Behind the veterans, the front office retained both second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. Speaking after the preseason finale, McCarthy told reporters that he felt strongly about the depth and future potential of the room. “We got two veterans that we can win with, and we got two young guys that we’re excited about the future,” McCarthy said, as reported by TSN. The head coach dismissed notions that carrying four signal-callers might hinder development, stating that extra time in meetings and practice schools during the regular season will benefit the younger players.

Preseason Performance Review

The decision to keep Howard and Allar follows a preseason slate defined by flashes of promise mixed with inconsistent execution. Each quarterback opened with a strong debut against the Green Bay Packers, but subsequent outings proved challenging. According to TSN’s coverage, Howard struggled against the New York Jets with two interceptions before tossing another against the Buffalo Bills, where a miscommunication with receiver Lake McRee led to an interception by Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Howard was also sacked three times and evaluated for a head injury during that contest.

Drew Allar, selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft, displayed higher accuracy and protected the football better overall during the preseason without throwing an interception, though he also encountered difficulties with dropped passes from receivers. In the second-half relief role against Buffalo, Allar completed 9 of 18 passing attempts for 88 yards. Despite the statistical bumps, Allar expressed confidence in his trajectory, telling reporters that he felt good about the tape he produced over the three exhibition games.

Roster Shuffles, Trades, and Injuries

In addition to managing the quarterback room, Pittsburgh’s front office finalized several notable transactions before the league-wide deadline. The Steelers traded offensive tackle Broderick Jones, a 2023 first-round pick, alongside a fourth-round draft choice to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for third- and sixth-round picks in the 2027 draft, according to USA Today. The move clears a path for rookie draft pick Max Iheanachor to serve as the swing tackle behind starters Troy Fautanu and Dylan Cook.

Running back Kaleb Johnson, who joined the team following a productive college career at Iowa, was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a sixth-round draft pick after seeing limited preseason action. Meanwhile, the Steelers chose to retain all 10 members of their 2026 draft class, including seventh-round running back and Navy product Eli Heidenreich, who beat out veteran competition for a roster spot.

On the injury and recovery front, TSN reported that cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list after missing the opening weeks of training camp due to a back injury and subsequent contract negotiations. Safety DeShon Elliott was placed on Injured Reserve with a knee designation but carries a tag that allows him to return later in the season.

Looking Ahead to Week 1

With roster cutdowns finalized and a unique four-quarterback hierarchy established, the Steelers turn their attention toward regular-season preparations under Mike McCarthy. The team aims to balance immediate competitiveness behind Rodgers and Rudolph with long-term evaluation for Howard and Allar.