The Pittsburgh Steelers have some tough decisions to make at quarterback this offseason. The team know Aaron Rodgers will retire after the 2026 season, leaving them trying to decide whether or not they have Rodgers’ long-term replacement on the roster or not. Pittsburgh is in the throes of a QB competition between rookie third-round pick Drew Allar and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard — both of whom have the potential to be the team’s starter in 2027.
Allar impressed in his preseason debut two weeks ago, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown, but his second appearance wasn’t so memorable (he completed 11 of 23 passes for 110 yards). Conversely, Howard hasn’t blown anyone away either. In two games, he’s completed 17 of 24 passes for 160 yards with two interceptions.
Based purely on preseason performance, one would assume Allar has the edge over Howard at this point. But according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it doesn’t really matter who outperforms who as both quarterbacks — in addition to Mason Rudolph — will make the team’s 53-man roster out of camp. But he doesn’t need another game to know this: Will Howard and Drew Allar will be on the team,” Dulac reported.
They will be kept when the Steelers reduce their roster to 53 players after Thursday night’s preseason finale in Buffalo.” Rudolph is Pittsburgh’s only experienced backup. He’s compiled a 9-9-1 record as a starter over six seasons, but the Steelers clearly know he’s not their future starter. Meanwhile, Allar and Howard could be, and they both will likely compete with a 2027 draft pick for the starting job that Rodgers will vacate at season’s end.
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