Full Breakdown
Steelers Commit to Keeping Two Young Quarterbacks on 53-Man Roster
8/23/2026, 2:07:54 AM
Decision on the Quarterback Depth Chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that both rookie third-round pick Drew Allar and sixth-round pick Will Howard will occupy spots on the 53-player roster for the upcoming season. The decision, reported by Gerry Dulac of the *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette*, was made before the team’s second preseason game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. “It's a question of whether they wanna keep four or three,” — Gerry Dulac
Background & Context
Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year contract in May and is slated as the starter. Veteran Mason Rudolph, a ninth-year player, is listed as the backup. The Steelers’ quarterback room therefore includes four names: Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard, and Allar—a roster composition that is unusual in the NFL.
Data & Statistics
- Will Howard (2025 sixth-round pick): 10-of-15 passes for 74 yards, two interceptions, and one sack in the 17-0 loss to the Jets. (Reported by NBC Sports)
- Drew Allar (2026 third-round pick): 11-of-23 passes for 110 yards and three sacks in the same game. (Reported by NBC Sports)
- Mason Rudolph did not play in the Jets game; he remains the only experienced backup on the roster.
Official Statements & Responses
Gerry Dulac reiterated that keeping Howard and Allar “is already decided,” while expressing surprise at the prospect of releasing Rudolph, stating “I can’t imagine them not keeping Mason Rudolph.” “I can't imagine them not keeping Mason Rudolph,” — Gerry Dulac
Head coach Mike McCarthy described Howard’s two turnovers as “not clean” and suggested that the plays could have been cleaner, implying that receiver Roman Wilson may share responsibility for the interceptions. “There’s always plays that are cleaner than others and those two plays were not clean,” — Mike McCarthy, coach
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Decision Certainty: Dulac’s statements assert a firm decision to retain Howard, yet analysis from *SteelersDepot* notes Dulac’s past inaccuracies and suggests the team might still consider moving Howard to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
- Roster Flexibility: Some outlets argue that keeping four quarterbacks would force the Steelers to cut depth at other positions (e.g., safety Robert Spears-Jennings or offensive lineman Ryan McCollum), but no official roster moves have been confirmed.
What’s Next
The NFL’s roster-cut deadline is scheduled for August 30. The Steelers must finalize their 53-man roster by that date, at which point Howard’s status could be reassessed if he fails to clear waivers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's a question of whether they wanna keep four or three,” — Gerry Dulac, *Si* “It's a question of whether they wanna keep four or three,” — Gerry Dulac
- “I can't imagine them not keeping Mason Rudolph,” — Gerry Dulac, *Si* “I can't imagine them not keeping Mason Rudolph,” — Gerry Dulac
- “There’s always plays that are cleaner than others and those two plays were not clean,” — Mike McCarthy, coach, *Nbcsports* “There’s always plays that are cleaner than others and those two plays were not clean,” — Mike McCarthy, coach
