“DK, the drops. As a receiver especially, that’s got to just like, chap ya,” Big Ben said while talking to Santonio Holmes on a recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. “And, two [offensive pass interference penalties]. That’s a lot. How much of that — the argument is going to be how much of that is lack of preseason reps, right? No preseason games. No preseason reps.“

Metcalf did not see any game action during the Steelers’ preseason due to an undisclosed injury. Clearly, the lack of game reps may have worked against him, and it remains to be seen whether he can quickly get back into form and become the ace Aaron Rodgers needs throughout the season.

A slow start to the season for Metcalf

DK Metcalf’s 2026 season got off to a pretty frustrating start, as he really struggled to sync up with the offense and capitalize on his opportunities. Despite seeing a heavy workload with 10 targets, he managed to secure just 4 catches for 40 yards—leaving a lot of production on the field with a dismal 40% catch rate.

His main issues stemmed from a lack of efficient route running and failing to create separation, resulting in several contested drops and uncharacteristic miscommunications late in key possessions. If he wants to bounce back, he’ll need to clean up those focus drops—as Roethlisberger suggested—sharpen his route tree, and turn those high-volume targets into actual chunk plays instead of empty downs.

Week 2 won’t be easy for Metcalf

Roethlisberger’s comments regarding DK Metcalf’s mistakes will face their first test in a difficult trip to Foxborough. The Steelers will take on the New England Patriots in Week 2, with Christian Gonzalez, the highest-paid cornerback in the league, expected to be one of Metcalf’s primary defenders on the field.

Steelers’ schedule beyond the Patriots

After opening the season with an important win at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers’ schedule appears promising in the early part of the season. Following their trip to New England, they will return home to host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 for a key divisional matchup.

They will then travel to Cleveland to face the Browns at Huntington Bank Stadium, while their Week 5 game will once again be at home, this time against the Indianapolis Colts. By then, will Metcalf have been able to regain some of his elite form?

Will Howard and Drew Allar are viewed as the potential quarterbacks of the future, while Mason Rudolph provides Pittsburgh with valuable experience. The Steelers now appear prepared to carry all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, despite the unusual decision to dedicate four roster spots to the position.

Amid that debate, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger has made his preference clear regarding which young quarterback has the highest long-term ceiling. Speaking on his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger gave Drew Allar a major endorsement.

Is Drew Allar better than Will Howard?

Ben Roethlisberger believes Will Howard is currently the better quarterback, but he sees significantly more long-term upside in Drew Allar. A major endorsement from one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Steelers history.

“If you believe in Drew Allar’s upside, I think Drew has a lot of upside. I think Will is better now, but I think Drew has the potential to be better down the road. Watching Drew throw is beautiful. The way the ball comes off his hand, the zip he has on it, the ease that he throws with. It’s fun to watch.”

Roethlisberger is essentially separating the two young quarterbacks into two categories: Howard is more prepared to contribute right now, while Allar possesses the physical tools and developmental potential to eventually become the better player.

The comments are particularly interesting because Allar is entering his first NFL season after being selected by Pittsburgh in the 2026 NFL Draft, while Howard is already entering his second year with the organization.

Will the Steelers keep all four quarterbacks?

The Steelers appear increasingly likely to carry Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard and Allar on their 53-man roster. Mike McCarthy recently praised the entire quarterback room, describing the Steelers as having two veterans they can win with and two young quarterbacks they are excited about for the future.

That strongly indicated that Pittsburgh does not want to risk losing either Howard or Allar by attempting to place them on the practice squad. Roethlisberger has previously argued that Pittsburgh should prioritize Howard and Allar over Rudolph, believing that the young quarterbacks are too valuable to expose to waivers.

That creates an unusual situation for the Steelers. Keeping four quarterbacks means sacrificing a roster spot that could otherwise be used at another position. But putting either young quarterback on the practice squad could result in another team claiming him. For Roethlisberger, the choice appears clear: keep the young talent.

Ben Roethlisberger wants the Steelers to move on from Mason Rudolph

Despite praising the entire quarterback room, Roethlisberger’s preferred solution remains different from what Pittsburgh appears ready to do. He has repeatedly argued that the Steelers should keep Howard and Allar while finding a way to move on from Rudolph, whether through release or the practice squad.

His latest comments continue to emphasize the value he sees in the two young quarterbacks. The Steelers, however, appear to have reached a different conclusion.

Rudolph’s experience makes him a valuable insurance policy behind Rodgers, while Howard and Allar represent the organization’s potential future at quarterback.

With Aaron Rodgers firmly established as the starter, the Steelers still have to decide what to do with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar. Roethlisberger believes Pittsburgh should prioritize keeping both young quarterbacks, even if that means taking the unusual step of trying to stash Rudolph on the practice squad.

The problem is that putting Rudolph on the practice squad could be extremely risky. He is an experienced NFL quarterback who has already served as a reliable backup in Pittsburgh, and another team could easily claim him if the Steelers expose him to waivers.

Who should be Steelers’ backup QB?

Speaking on his Footbahlin podcast, Ben Roethlisberger argued that Pittsburgh should do everything possible to prevent losing either Will Howard or Drew Allar while also trying to find a way to keep Mason Rudolph.

“Coach or GM, I’m doing everything I can to keep both of them (Allar and Howard). I don’t think you put either one on practice squad because I think someone will scoop them up. So, you’re either keeping all four or you try to put Mason on practice squad and see if you can find a way to keep him too.”

Roethlisberger’s preferred solution is understandable from a developmental perspective. Both Howard and Allar represent potential long-term options for the Steelers, and losing either young quarterback to another team would be a significant risk. But the veteran quarterback’s suggestion has also created controversy because of his history with Rudolph.

Ben Roethlisberger’s controversial comments on Mason Rudolph

The timing of Ben Roethlisberger’s comments has drawn attention because his relationship with Mason Rudolph was not always viewed as particularly supportive during their time together in Pittsburgh.

Rudolph spent several seasons behind Roethlisberger and had some chances as the Steelers’ starter when injuries affected Big Ben. Their history makes Roethlisberger’s current recommendation particularly interesting, especially because he is now advocating for the Steelers to potentially place Rudolph on the practice squad while protecting the two younger quarterbacks.

Should the Steelers keep four quarterbacks on their roster?

The Steelers could ultimately decide that keeping all four quarterbacks is the safest option, but doing so would come with a significant roster cost. NFL teams generally prefer to carry three quarterbacks because every roster spot becomes increasingly valuable at positions where injuries and depth can quickly become problems.

Keeping Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard and Allar would mean sacrificing a spot that could instead be used on another offensive lineman, defensive player, receiver or special-teams contributor.

At the same time, the Steelers have a unique situation. Rodgers is an aging veteran, Rudolph is an experienced backup, and both Howard and Allar are young quarterbacks with developmental upside.

Putting Rudolph on the practice squad could also backfire immediately. If another team claims him, Pittsburgh would suddenly enter the season with Rodgers backed up by two young quarterbacks who have limited NFL experience. That would be a considerable gamble if Rodgers were to miss time.

“Just like their playoff hopes it ended early before it even started,” the former Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller said on Footbahlin. For Big Ben, it seems the ideal choice would have been Shedeur Sanders to start in Week 1.

The decision to have Watson start the season in the Dawg Pound is based on his experience, as well as the fact that the Browns will play their first two games on the road. Can No. 4 silence the criticism and change the opinions of fans and his peers?

Watson’s first challenges

Playing away from Huntington Bank Stadium could prove beneficial for Deshaun Watson, who was booed by his own fans during the preseason. That will be the case in the first two games, as the Browns travel to South Florida for their opening challenges.

Watson’s team will make its debut on September 13 at EverBank Stadium against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Seven days later, the Browns will head to Raymond James Stadium to face the always-tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Roethlisberger’s history against the Browns

Ben Roethlisberger practically owned the Cleveland Browns during his 18-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers, racking up a dominant 26–2–1 record against his AFC North rivals. Big Ben turned Cleveland into his second home, going 11–2–1 on the road and wrapping up his career with more wins in Cleveland than almost any Browns quarterback in that era.

For nearly two decades, whenever Pittsburgh lined up against the Browns with Roethlisberger under center, a win was almost a foregone conclusion. This historic rivalry made the quarterback one of the winningest players in head-to-head matchups in the AFC.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed on X the legends who could finally receive the prestigious gold jacket next year. “First-time eligibles for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2027 include Rob Gronkowski, Ben Roethlisberger, Adrian Peterson, Richard Sherman, Cam Newton, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Andrew Whitworth, Alex Mack, Gerald McCoy and Eric Weddle,” he revealed.

By mid-February 2027, the players selected for this prestigious honor will finally be announced during the annual NFL Honors ceremony. Which of these players will ultimately have his bust placed among the greatest in NFL history?

How are the next Hall of Famers selected?

The selection process for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2027 is governed by a 50-person Selection Committee—comprising NFL market media members, at-large delegates, and a Pro Football Writers of America representative—tasked with evaluating eligible nominees who have been retired for at least five full seasons.

The multi-stage evaluation reduces a vast initial pool of Modern-Era candidates down to 25 semifinalists, before trimming the list to 15 finalists. These 15 players join up to five non-modern finalists—comprising up to three Seniors candidates (retired 25+ years), one Coach nominee (retired at least one season), and one Contributor nominee—chosen by dedicated subcommittees.

During Super Bowl week, the full committee convenes to debate the 20 total finalists, requiring each candidate to earn at least 80% approval from voters to secure selection in a final class that ultimately yields between four and eight inductees.

The beginnings of the NFL Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame officially opened its doors on September 7, 1963, in Canton, Ohio—a location chosen because the NFL was originally founded there in 1920. Established to honor the legendary players, coaches, and contributors who shaped professional football, the institution inducted an inaugural class of 17 charter members.

That legendary first group included iconic pioneers and star players such as Jim Thorpe, Red Grange, George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Sammy Baugh, and Bronko Nagurski, forever setting the standard for gridiron excellence.

What does an NFL Hall of Famer receive?

When an NFL legend is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, they receive three iconic symbols of football immortality. The centerpiece is the iconic Gold Jacket, a custom-tailored blazer made by Haggar that inductees put on for the first time during the Enshrinement Ceremony.

They are also presented with a bronze Hall of Fame Ring, custom-crafted for each member and featuring a diamond setting, as well as a life-sized Bronze Bust sculpted in their likeness, which is permanently displayed in the Hall’s gallery in Canton, Ohio.

The discussion centers on Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to receive a significant amount of playing time during the preseason as the Steelers enter a new era without Mike Tomlin.

While the Steelers believe those reps could help build rhythm before Week 1, Roethlisberger isn’t convinced it’s the right approach for a 42-year-old quarterback entering the final season of his career.

Ben Roethlisberger questions Aaron Rodgers’ preseason workload

Speaking about the situation, Ben Roethlisberger explained on his podcast Footbahlin why he believes Aaron Rodgers has nothing left to prove in preseason games.

“Last year, was it smart? Sure, it was. It was a new offense and a new team. Now, this is his offense. He knows this. He doesn’t need to be out there in the preseason. I guess if you want some continuity. I think they said something between 30 and 60 plays for the whole preseason. I don’t know if that’s how many games or whatever, but you’re talking maybe 20 plays a game. That’s a lot.”

For Roethlisberger, the risk of exposing Rodgers to unnecessary hits outweighs any potential benefit. Injuries are a crucial part of the game and, from a team’s overall perspective, there’s another important situation.

Who will be the Steelers’ starting quarterback?

There is no debate about Pittsburgh’s starter. Aaron Rodgers will open the season as the Steelers’ No. 1 quarterback, making the preseason more valuable for the younger players behind him.

Roethlisberger said that those snaps should be used instead to evaluate Will Howard, who enters his second NFL season, and rookie Drew Allar, who has already generated excitement during training camp.

“Don’t take reps away from those other guys for a Hall of Fame guy that already knows this offense. That’s my argument. Like, man, let’s get reps for the other guys. Not only is it a lot for your quarterback, the Hall of Famer you built this team around, but what it also does, more importantly, is it takes all those reps away from other guys. Have Aaron go one series. Let him go one series, whatever that entails, and pull him out. Then I’d go right to whoever is next.”

With only three preseason games on the schedule, opportunities to evaluate the future of the quarterback position are limited. That is why Roethlisberger believes Pittsburgh should prioritize the development of their young passers rather than giving extensive preseason work to a veteran who already knows the offense.

However, the biggest question is what will happen in 2027. Rodgers will most likely retire regardless of what happens, and that draft class is expected to be particularly attractive with names like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and LaNorris Sellers.

According to a report from Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers appear to have already made their decision. “A few executives consulted for this story are watching Pittsburgh, which has started seven quarterbacks since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season, for a move up the draft board to capitalize on a quarterback class it has spent years studying.”

Who will be Steelers starting QB in 2026?

Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2026 season and, considering he will turn 43 years old, everything seems to indicate that this will undoubtedly be his last dance.

The next Steelers franchise quarterback

Drew Allar, Will Howard, and perhaps a quarterback from the 2027 draft class will battle for that coveted position. Allar and Howard will begin that competition during training camp and preseason, while college prospects will be closely monitored by Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy. What already seems clear is that, after the 2026 season, the Steelers will finally face the long-awaited moment when they must make a historic decision at quarterback.

Speaking on his podcast Footbahlin, the former Steelers quarterback offered a candid assessment of the pick and what it could mean for the team’s quarterback room.

“This is one that I’m not sure yet if I love it or hate it. You can get a lot of really good players in the third round. I don’t think this was done because they know anything about Aaron. I think it was a: ‘We liked a big physical quarterback.’ I think he had a lot of hype behind him at one point. I don’t watch a lot of Penn State games. When I did watch, he never jumped off the page to me. Is he big? Can he move? Can he throw? Yeah, but there was never a time when I was like ‘Whoa.’ We’ll see about this one.”

Ben Roethlisberger prefers Will Howard over Drew Allar

Ben Roethlisberger also made it clear that, based on what he’s seen, Will Howard may currently have the edge. Despite being a sixth-round pick, Howard has made a stronger impression in his view.

“Will was a sixth-rounder. This is a third-rounder. I think this will push Will. When I watch tape, or if I watch games, Will Howard jumped off the tape to me way more than Drew did.”

That dynamic is exactly what the Steelers appear to be setting up. With uncertainty still surrounding the future at quarterback thanks to Aaron Rodgers, they are creating an environment where performance, not draft position, will ultimately decide roles.

“I love the Pittman pickup,” Roethlisberger stated on the Deebo & Joe podcast. “I think it’s something that screams, ‘Hey, Aaron Rodgers, come on. We’re giving you these weapons.’“

Secrecy at this stage of the offseason is complete. However, even Pittman himself believes that Rodgers will return to the NFL, at least for a little while longer.

Rodgers’ weapons in Steel City

If Aaron Rodgers commits to the 2026 season, he will lead a high-powered offense featuring an elite receiving duo in DK Metcalf and newly acquired Michael Pittman Jr., alongside young playmaker Roman Wilson. The backfield offers a versatile punch with the hard-running Rico Dowdle and the explosive Jaylen Warren, giving the veteran quarterback one of the most balanced supporting casts of his legendary career.

McCarthy explores alternatives

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a pivotal crossroads at quarterback as they await Aaron Rodgers’ decision for the 2026 season. If the veteran retires, the team is currently headlined by Mason Rudolph, who remains a reliable, experienced bridge-starter familiar with the organization’s culture.

In contrast, the Steelers are also high on the developmental upside of Will Howard, the 2025 draft pick who spent his rookie year learning the system and is now positioned to compete for the starting role under Mike McCarthy’s new offensive regime.

Pittsburgh needs to return to the Super Bowl

The Steelers are currently facing one of the longest droughts in their storied history, making a return to the Super Bowl an absolute necessity for the franchise’s legacy. It has been 15 years since their last appearance in Super Bowl XLV and 17 years since they secured their last championship ring in Super Bowl XLIII.

The urgency reached a breaking point this past January 2026, when Pittsburgh suffered a frustrating 30-6 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans, extending its postseason losing streak to seven games and leaving the fanbase desperate for a deep playoff run.

During a recent edition of Cam Heyward’s podcast, ‘Not Just Football’, Joey Porter took a huge shot at Big Ben, pointing out that he was not a good teammate in the Steelers’ locker room. The former linebacker pointed to other names such as James Harrison for having created podcasts to criticize Mike Tomlin and the players on the current roster.

“James Harrison broke the brotherhood. Then 7 (Ben Roethlisberger) definitely broke the brotherhood. The things that 7 do. That did and we don’t talk about is crazy. Out of anybody that should talk, he should never grab a microphone and really talk Steelers business. He’s not a good teammate.”

Was Ben Roethlisberger a bad teammate with Steelers?

According to Joey Porter, Ben Roethlisberger was a bad teammate with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I won a Super Bowl with him, but, the person, he’s just not a good teammate. He knows that. Anybody in the Steelers building knows that, but we protected him because I’ve only won one Super Bowl and that was my quarterback. So, do I love my quarterback? Yeah. But, is he a good person? No.”

Steelers’ players criticize Big Ben

In addition to Joey Porter, several players joined the criticism against Big Ben in an Instagram post, commenting that they agreed. That list of names includes Mason Rudolph, Zach Banner, and Mike Mitchell.

So far, there has been no response from Ben Roethlisberger, but many expect a strong message in the next edition of his podcast, ‘Footbahlin’. When everything seemed to be heading toward a quiet offseason, the Steelers found that their former stars have suddenly unleashed a huge controversy.

“I said last week that I would like the McCarthy hire. I think you bring a new voice into the locker room because sometimes the message can get repetitive. McCarthy is a Pittsburgh guy, who obviously, I know he’s coached in a lot of places, but you’re telling me that he doesn’t have black and gold in there. He’s going to understand the Steeler Way.”

The Steelers have gone 17 years without winning a Super Bowl and have not recorded a playoff victory in nine seasons. Mike Tomlin decided to part ways with the team, and McCarthy was chosen as the ideal replacement according to the Rooney family and general manager Omar Khan.

Aaron Rodgers might come back to play for Mike McCarthy and Steelers in 2026

Mike McCarthy publicly admitted that he has already spoken with Aaron Rodgers and that he would like the veteran to be his quarterback in 2026. However, the head coach also said that, given Aaron’s age, the star deserves time to think about his decision to return or retire.

Fans don’t believe in Mike McCarthy and Steelers

After the announcement of Mike McCarthy as the new head coach of the Steelers, many fans could not believe the decision and felt it was more of the same, with a résumé very similar to that of Mike Tomlin. However, Ben Roethlisberger cannot understand those opinions.

“I’ve been really amazed at kind of the outpouring of disbelief of like: ‘Why are we doing this? What an awful hire.’ And I’m sitting there like scratching my head at some of the people that are saying this because I believe it’s a great hire. We finally have an offensive minded coach in here. I’m so excited for an offensive minded coach because I think we have to score more than six points in a playoff game. Mike McCarthy has a great track record. Are we sure that we want a young guy that’s unproven?”