The Steelers backup quarterback battle is starting to look more unusual by the day. With Aaron Rodgers entering the season as a 42-year-old starter, Pittsburgh may be leaning toward keeping four quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster later this month.
That would be a rare move, but not an impossible one. It would also reflect how seriously the Steelers appear to be treating quarterback depth after an offseason that brought both optimism and uncertainty at the position.
Why four quarterbacks is on the table
Pittsburgh already has Rodgers in place, and the rest of the room has become a story in its own right. The Steelers drafted Drew Allar with the No. 76 overall pick in April 2026, even after earlier offseason praise for Mason Rudolph and despite Will Howard missing all of last season with a hand injury, including preseason action.
That combination has made the backup quarterback battle one of the most closely watched roster decisions on the team. If the Steelers keep four quarterbacks, it would mean carrying extra insurance behind Rodgers rather than trying to squeeze the room down to the more standard three-passers setup.
Rudolph appears safe
Last week, Mike McCarthy offered a strong endorsement of Rudolph in comments to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. McCarthy said, “I can't tell you how pleased I am with him,” while also praising the value Rudolph brings from his experience. He added, “The experience that he's gained, I think, is incredibly valuable to us.”
McCarthy also noted that Rudolph is still adjusting in some areas, saying, “But the footwork is different,” while adding that “the throws are better than I knew.”
Over the weekend, Mark Kaboly went a step further and wrote that Rudolph was not getting released, cut, traded or put on the practice squad. That makes Rudolph look like the safest quarterback on the roster outside of Rodgers, and it helps explain why the four-quarterback idea is gaining traction.
What Will Howard needs to show
Howard’s path is more complicated. He missed all of last season with the hand injury, so Thursday’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers matters as he tries to get live reps and show he belongs in the mix.
The Steelers have two preseason games and the next three weeks to sort out the room before they set their initial 53-man roster. For Howard, the challenge is simple: prove he can stay healthy, function in the offense and make the team worth carrying even with Allar now in the picture.
If Pittsburgh does keep four quarterbacks, it would say a lot about how much value the team places on depth at the sport’s most important position. If it doesn’t, then the backup quarterback battle could still decide which young passer sticks and which one becomes the odd man out.
