The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a ton of turnover as a new coaching staff is in the building running the show. Things are going to be different in 2026, and that was seen during the NFL Draft as there was a clear focus on the offensive side of the ball. Mike McCarthy is an offensive-minded head coach with a background in developing quarterbacks, and both of those factors are two of the main reasons that he was hired. He has two developmental quarterbacks to work with after the Steelers drafted Drew Allar in the third round, who joins Will Howard and Mason Rudolph in the quarterback room.
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Steelers quarterback Drew Allar walks out on stage during the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are likely to have four quarterbacks on the roster by the time training camp begins. Allar and Howard are two developmental players, Rudolph is an experienced backup, and Aaron Rodgers seems likely to return despite the fact that nothing has been confirmed. There is no doubt that Rodgers is the best option when it comes to a starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2026, but McCarthy and his staff also want to be able to develop Howard and Allar. The head coach joined 105.9 The X, where he was asked about keeping four quarterbacks and the challenges that come with that.
"It's a good challenge that presents itself," McCarthy said. "We also know, and I'm sure this is what you're referring to, with the CBA, and the restrictions of time and reps and so forth. You know, it's definitely a challenge to have four quarterbacks that all could play and all that you want to develop and get ready to play. That's something that we'll have to discuss."
The CBA that McCarthy is referring to is the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA. It is essentially a contract that governs the labor within the league when it comes to the players, and the current contract goes through the 2030 season. Within the CBA is a bunch of restrictions when it comes to the amount of time that players can be on the field practicing, how many practices players can have within a week, and how often teams can practice in full pads.
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Steelers QBs Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard talk to a ref before a home game in Pittsburgh.
There isn't anything within the CBA stating that a team cannot have four quarterbacks, but it is hard to get all four quarterbacks meaningful reps in order to help develop them. Rodgers would be the starter and would automatically take the majority of the snaps. It is expected that Howard and Rudolph might duke it out for the backup role, and Allar will probably get involved in that. It is just a thin amount of snaps to be spread across three players, especially with two of them having no professional experience and looking to get better.
McCarthy and his staff are going to have to come up with a solid plan to attack this issue. Allar is a raw prospect and he was always going to be a project once he got to the NFL, and the Steelers need to pour an appropriate amount of time into both him and Howard.
Steelers' 2026 Preseason Is Critical On The Outlook Of The Quarterback Room
Howard missed the entire preseason in 2025 due to a fluke thumb injury, and fans are excited to see him finally get on the field in 2026. The same can be said for Allar. If Rodgers returns, he probably will not play in the preseason for the second consecutive year.
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Steelers' Will Howard warms up prior to an away game against the Cleveland Browns near the end of the 2025 season.
Rudolph could play to start the first quarter, but the focus should be on the two younger quarterbacks. Seeing both play well would be ideal, but there is a chance that one could get a leg up on the other.
What do you think about McCarthy's comments on the challenges of keeping four quarterbacks? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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