Steelers retain four quarterbacks, marking first four-QB roster for Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept four quarterbacks on the active roster, a first for Aaron Rodgers, who said the group could be part of the team's best 53 players.
Pittsburgh announced that it will retain four quarterbacks on its active roster, a configuration that Aaron Rodgers has not experienced in his 22-year NFL career. The quarterbacks include veteran Mason Rudolph, recent draft picks Will Howard and Drew Allar, and Rodgers himself.
Rodgers told ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor that while a four-quarterback room reduces spots for other positions, he believes the four could earn spots among the team's top 53 players. > "I was thinking it was a possibility, but I don’t think I’ve been on a roster with four quarterbacks," he said.
Coach Mike McCarthy also noted that this is the first time he has overseen a four-quarterback roster. The move comes as Rodgers approaches what he has described as his final season with the Steelers, leaving the future of the position uncertain. Rudolph, Howard and Allar are expected to compete for the starting role after Rodgers departs.
Rodgers expressed optimism about the younger players' prospects. > "I’m happy for all those guys… looking to the future, those other three guys are going to have a chance when I’m done," he said, adding that he was impressed by their performance in preseason camp.
Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025, and Allar, a third-round pick in 2026, were observed by Rodgers during a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He praised their comfort and efficiency on the field, noting they appeared ahead of where he was at the same stage in his own career.
The Steelers' quarterback situation contrasts with previous teams' approaches; the Green Bay Packers kept Jordan Love as a backup for three seasons, while the New York Jets cycled through multiple quarterbacks before acquiring Geno Smith.