Aaron Rodgers will not play when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New York Jets in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, as head coach Mike McCarthy has decided to keep his veteran quarterback on the sideline.
The decision is part of Pittsburgh’s approach to managing Rodgers’ preseason workload with the regular season taking priority. Rodgers also sat out the Steelers’ preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, making it increasingly likely that the 42-year-old quarterback could go through the entire preseason without taking a snap.
McCarthy has made it clear that the priority is getting the Steelers ready for the games that count rather than exposing Rodgers to unnecessary preseason action.
Aaron Rodgers won’t play for Steelers vs Jets
Aaron Rodgers has also previously made his feelings about exhibition football known, describing preseason football as not being “real football.” With Rodgers already firmly established as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, the coaching staff appears to believe that his preparation can be handled through practices and joint-work sessions rather than preseason games.
That makes Friday’s matchup against the Jets another opportunity to evaluate the quarterbacks behind Rodgers. The Steelers are using the game to give Will Howard and Drew Allar extended opportunities, while Mason Rudolph will also sit out.
Who will be the Steelers’ starting QB vs Jets?
Will Howard will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback against the Jets, with the second-year signal-caller expected to receive an extended look before Drew Allar takes over.
Howard impressed in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against Green Bay, completing 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards and leading a touchdown drive. Allar was even more productive statistically, completing 10 of 13 attempts for 154 yards and three total touchdowns.
The plan gives both young QBs an important opportunity to build momentum in the competition for roster spots. Howard is expected to handle the first half, while Allar should take the second half, allowing Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff to evaluate each quarterback with a much larger sample than in a typical preseason rotation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are particularly interested in seeing how the two young players perform with extended responsibility rather than just a handful of drives. It’s important to remember they’re still looking for a franchise quarterback.
What about Mason Rudolph?
Mason Rudolph’s absence is also significant because the Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on their roster, something the team may not ultimately want to carry into the regular season.
That makes the performances of Howard and Allar even more important, while Rudolph’s place on the roster could become part of the conversation if either young quarterback continues to impress.
For now, Rodgers remains comfortably ahead as QB1, but Friday’s game could have major implications for how the Steelers construct the rest of their quarterback room in 2026.
