The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting all set for mandatory minicamp to kick off and the roster is looking a bit different than it did back in 2025. One constant, however, is who will be the starting quarterback for the upcoming 2026 campaign. Aaron Rodgers, barring injury, is set to be the first signal-caller to be under center for back-to-back openers since Ben Roethlisberger was in 2020 and 2021. The bigger question isn't necessarily facing the four-time MVP, but rather, who will be given the job of backing him up on game days once September rolls around.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (left) stands alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) as the two take part in the team's 2026 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Pittsburgh, PA.
Will Howard seems to be the one who will have the inside track to earn the title; however, Mason Rudolph is a veteran with plenty of in-game experience. Because the Steelers also selected Drew Allar in the NFL Draft's third round, one of the players is going to be on the outside looking in. That has led to plenty of speculation that Rudolph will be dealt to another team come August.
There is a world where one of the signal-callers on Pittsburgh's roster ends up heading to Injured Reserve (IR), which would allow the four of them to stay around. If all of them get through training camp and the preseason unscathed, though, it is going to be fascinating to see what the front office decides to do with Rudolph, Howard and Allar.
During his most recent fan chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Gerry Dulac fielded questions from fans regarding the state of the team currently. Rudolph came up after someone suggested that the team trade him for another player that might end up operating at a position of need for the Steelers. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like that is possible.
"I'm sorry to disappoint, but if the Steelers trade Rudolph it won't be for a player," Dulac wrote. "I'm not even sure they would get anything more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick if another team isn't in desperate need of a quarterback. I also think they wouldn't trade him, they would just release him and let him make his own deal."
It's fair to assume that Rudolph would only warrant a late-round pick if a deal did end up coming to fruition. While he has been a reliable backup throughout his career, that is pretty much his ceiling at this point. No team is going send over a fifth-round pick or better for someone who would presumably just be around in case of a serious injury to a starter.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph gets ready to unleash a pass as he goes through a workout during the team's 2026 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Pittsburgh, PA.
As Dulac noted, the Steelers might just elect to release Rudolph if it comes down to it. He has been a part of the organization for the majority of his professional career, so it would be a nice thing to do if Pittsburgh allowed him to pick his hypothetical next destination on his own. That's what currently seems to be the consensus, but football is a business. If another team has a legitimate need, the front office in the Steel City won't hesitate to get compensation in return.
Rudolph has received the short end of the stick, particularly since Rodgers got to town. Two quarterbacks were taken in the last two NFL Drafts, which means a lot of time and energy is going to be put into developing them. Then, the future Hall of Famer is in charge of the huddle. At the end of the day, there simply doesn't seem to be room for Rudolph to stay around if all parties are healthy.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
All four quarterbacks for the Steelers runs through a drill together as the team works out during 2026 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Pittsburgh, PA.
Steelers Could Decide To Cut Howard Depending On The 2026 Preseason
Howard has not necessarily earned anything because he has not played a professional snap due to his own injury in 2025. He will get plenty of chances to show the coaching staff what he has come August; however, if he does not perform, Pittsburgh might feel more comfortable with Rudolph staying and Howard going. It would be a tough pill to swallow for fans, but it's very much within the realm of possibility.
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