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Steelers Keep Four Quarterbacks
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- Steelers Keep Four Quarterbacks
Photo by: Barry Reeger
The Pittsburgh Steelers have made one of the more interesting roster decisions of the 2026 NFL season, keeping all four of their quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster.
The Steelers will enter the season with veteran starter Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. The decision had been discussed throughout training camp, but Pittsburgh officially confirmed Sunday that all four quarterbacks made the team.
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Rodgers remains the clear starter for Pittsburgh. The 42-year-old quarterback returned to the Steelers for what he has indicated will be the final season of his NFL career. He did not play during the preseason, allowing the team's other quarterbacks to receive valuable reps.
Behind Rodgers, Rudolph is listed as the No. 2 quarterback. The veteran has received plenty of praise from new head coach Mike McCarthy throughout training camp and preseason. Rudolph's experience gives Pittsburgh a reliable backup option if Rodgers is unavailable.
The Steelers also decided to keep their two young quarterbacks. Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025, enters his second season with the team, while Allar was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Allar impressed during the preseason, accounting for three touchdowns in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against Green Bay. Howard also received significant playing time as the Steelers evaluated their young quarterbacks.
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Keeping four quarterbacks is unusual because every roster spot is valuable. Pittsburgh had to sacrifice depth at other positions to make room for the extra quarterback, making the decision one of the biggest talking points from roster cutdown day.
However, the Steelers clearly believe the long-term value of keeping Howard and Allar outweighs the cost of carrying an extra quarterback.
With Rodgers potentially playing his final season, developing the next generation of quarterbacks is especially important. Howard and Allar now have an opportunity to learn from Rodgers and Rudolph while competing for Pittsburgh's future starting job.
For McCarthy and the Steelers, the decision gives them plenty of quarterback depth heading into the season.
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Now the question is whether carrying four quarterbacks will pay off when the games begin.
For now, Pittsburgh is betting that having four options at the most important position on the field is worth giving up a roster spot elsewhere.
