“We’ve definitely got four that we love, I can say that,” the head coach said to the press. “You always have to develop the room. That’s always been the approach. We’re hoping that (general manager) Omar (Khan) can get the roster expanded to 55 and we can keep four. It’s a really good room. This is a good place to be, having four guys that can play.”

Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph represent the veteran presence. Will Howard and Drew Allar might be the future. It is no coincidence that all four are together this season: Steel City is going all in with A-Rod while also keeping their eyes on what could happen beyond 2027.

Mike McCarthy wants to develop the youngest talent

Aaron Rodgers’ return somehow benefits Will Howard as well as Drew Allar. With Mason Rudolph also on the roster, Mike McCarthy aims to fully develop and maximize the talent of his two young players at the position.

“Mason has a lot of experience,” the Steelers head coach said. “We’re trying to develop Will and Drew as well as we can. Will is ahead of Drew, just based on the fact that he’s been here.” Howard enters his second year in the NFL after not playing a single snap during his rookie season. Drew Allar, meanwhile, is taking his first steps in the league and will need to absorb as much information as possible to get up to speed.

Steelers have a HC who knows how to work with quarterbacks

Throughout his coaching career, Mike McCarthy has built a stellar reputation as a true quarterback guru with a proven track record of maximizing passing talent. This pedigree was solidified during his defining tenure with the Green Bay Packers, where he took over a young, raw Aaron Rodgers and meticulously developed him into a mechanical masterpiece and a future four-time MVP.

McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly system and strict developmental protocols have consistently elevated signal-callers, helping them master pre-snap reads, refine their footwork, and play with high-level efficiency. It is exactly this history of elite mentorship that makes his current role so intriguing as he looks to work his magic once again on a new generation of quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh already looking ahead to the 2026 season

Returning to another Super Bowl is the number one ambition in Steel City. These will be the first matchups of the upcoming season that they will have to face:

• Week 1, vs Atlanta Falcons
• Week 2, at New England Patriots
• Week 3, vs Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 4, at Cleveland Browns
• Week 5, vs Indianapolis Colts

Retirement is still close, though—just a little ways out and rising on the horizon. Rodgers confirmed 2026 will be his last NFL season, meaning he will retire younger than Tom Brady did. Still, he is excited for the upcoming campaign alongside McCarthy, with whom he won a Super Bowl—his lone Vince Lombardi Trophy—in 2011. In fact, if it had not been for the head coach, Rodgers may have called it a career this offseason.

“I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh. But when the decision was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back,” Rodgers stated, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Unfinished business for Rodgers

Had Rodgers closed out his chapter with the Steelers after the 2025 NFL season, a dull feeling would have lingered over his one-year stint in the Three Rivers. The future Hall of Famer and Tomlin‘s offense looked herky-jerky all season long.

To make matters worse, their final act is still giving fans in The Burgh nightmares. A whopping 30-6 home loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round extended Pittsburgh’s postseason winless drought to nine straight years. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Not even Rodgers could wash that sour taste out of fans’ mouths.

Still, he’s ready to give it another shot in 2026. Perhaps, a decade later, the curse will finally be lifted. Rodgers has plenty to prove as well. His last postseason victory came during the 2020 season, and he’s gone 0-3 in the playoffs since then.

Rodgers and McCarthy reunite

With Mike McCarthy calling the shots, Rodgers may be in for a trip down memory lane—a return to the glory days. If the longtime coach-quarterback duo still has some magic left, the Steelers may have reason to believe.

If there’s one coach capable of getting the best out of “A-Rod,” it’s McCarthy. He served as Rodgers’ head coach in Green Bay for 13 seasons from 2006 to 2018. During that span, Rodgers won a Super Bowl and captured two NFL MVP awards. If he plays to even a fraction of that level in 2026, Pittsburgh could be in for a magical year.

That could take some time, especially since the successful tandem from the Kansas City Chiefs is still active, meaning its win total (including playoffs) could continue to grow. What they could realistically surpass, however, is the duo of Marv Levy and Jim Kelly, who recorded 108 wins together (99 in the regular season and 9 in the playoffs) with the Buffalo Bills.

Since the creation of the Super Bowl in 1966, the NFL has featured highly successful quarterback-coach duos such as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, as well as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. This is the list in which both Rodgers and McCarthy, who reunite in Pittsburgh many years after their time together on the Green Bay Packers, will look to continue climbing the rankings.

Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh

According to NFL media, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 22nd NFL season after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million. The contract is expected to feature a base salary between $22 million and $23 million, with the remaining amount structured through a few million dollars in performance incentives.

Aaron Rodgers looks to build on 2025 success

Heading into his second consecutive year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers is locked in to elevate an offense that leaned heavily on conservative play-calling last season. Despite leading the team to an AFC North title, Rodgers posted a career-low 3,322 passing yards over 16 regular-season games, paired with a modest 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Reunited with Mike McCarthy—whose system historically pushed the ball much deeper downfield—the 42-year-old signal-caller will look to drastically improve upon his league-worst 6.1-yard average target depth and replicate the aggressive, high-flying aerial attack that once defined their championship years together.

“Aaron Rodgers was not at the Steelers facility once this weekend,” the insider Adam Schefter revealed on The Pat McAfee Show. “I don’t think anything has changed and I still think he ends up back with the Steelers.”

Before signing with the franchise last season, A-Rod didn’t show up until June. Will it take a few more weeks to finally learn the quarterback’s final decision?

Could Drew Allar be a good alternative to Rodgers?

Drew Allar is increasingly being viewed as the spiritual successor to Aaron Rodgers in Mike McCarthy’s system, sharing that rare combination of elite arm talent and the ability to make effortless off-platform throws.

Like a young Rodgers, Allar boasts an exceptional ball security. In his final 2025 college season, he maintained a high level of efficiency with 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions in limited action, proving he can protect the football while pushing it downfield.

Mike McCarthy already praised Allar during recent minicamps, noting his “gifted” natural throwing ability and physical profile. With his raw tools and McCarthy’s proven track record of developing legendary passers, the rookie has the clear potential to bridge the gap from the Rodgers era to the Steelers’ long-term future.

Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are also waiting for their opportunity with the Steelers

Amid the ongoing uncertainty regarding Aaron Rodgers’ future, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are also prepared to step up should the four-time MVP choose to move on. While the Steelers have placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers to facilitate his return, the lack of a finalized deal has opened the door for the rest of the quarterback room to compete for significant reps.

For Rudolph, this represents another chance to prove his veteran stability in the system, while Howard—the 2025 sixth-round pick—has recently become a focal point of development under Mike McCarthy’s “quarterback guru” approach. With Rodgers still weighing his decision heading into late May, both players are positioning themselves to lead a roster that remains built to compete immediately in the AFC North.

As uncertainty continues surrounding Rodgers’ decision, Allar enters an intriguing competition with Will Howard while veteran Mason Rudolph provides experience inside the QB room. Even if Rodgers eventually signs with Pittsburgh, the long-term future of the position could still depend heavily on how quickly the young quarterbacks develop.

That is why Mike McCarthy’s early comments about Allar generated so much interest. The Steelers head coach praised the rookie’s physical tools while also acknowledging there is still major technical work ahead as they begin reshaping his mechanics and footwork.

Mike McCarthy sees major upside in Drew Allar

Mike McCarthy made it clear that Drew Allar’s raw talent immediately stands out when watching him throw the football. “I think he’s the perfect description of what I’ve just said. He’s physically gifted. He’s a gifted thrower of the football, but he’s no different than any other young quarterback that I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”

The Steelers clearly believe Allar possesses the arm talent and physical profile necessary to eventually become an NFL starter. However, McCarthy also emphasized that the developmental process for young quarterbacks is never simple, especially when refining mechanics.

That became especially important when the coach addressed criticism surrounding Allar’s footwork, an area many scouts viewed as inconsistent coming out of college.

Steelers already working to adjust Drew Allar’s mechanics

Mike McCarthy defended Drew Allar while explaining that quarterback footwork varies depending on offensive systems and body types. It’s going to be a very different story compared to Penn State.

“I mean, everybody teaches footwork a little differently. Everybody has a system of offense and how you tie your quarterback, particularly in the pass game, to that. There’s a lot of work there. We’re able to just adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him. I think a big part of quarterback play is understanding the profile of the individual. They’re all built a little differently. Some guys are higher cut than others.”

The comments suggest the Steelers are focused on tailoring their coaching approach specifically to Allar rather than forcing him into a rigid developmental template. McCarthy also sounded encouraged by the rookie’s first few practices and the adjustments he has already made during minicamp.

“It was great to get him on film. The first thing that we did with Drew, just no different than we did with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, we shoot a profile tape. We were able to do that yesterday, evaluate that, and tried some things that he responded to very favorably. So, he made a very good first impression.”

Aaron Rodgers’ uncertainty still hanging over Steelers quarterback room

While Aaron Rodgers remains the dominant storyline around Pittsburgh, the Steelers are quietly building a fascinating quarterback situation behind the scenes.

If Rodgers signs, Allar and Howard could spend valuable time developing behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era. If Rodgers walks away or retires, however, the pressure on Pittsburgh’s young quarterbacks could arrive much sooner than expected.

During a recent media appearance, McCarthy was asked directly whether Rodgers could sign with Pittsburgh soon enough to participate in OTAs before May 18. Instead of shutting down the possibility, the Steelers head coach delivered a response that immediately sparked speculation across social media. “I mean, three quarterbacks is the normal. Four would be awesome.”

McCarthy smiled while answering the question, and many around the league interpreted the reaction as a possible hint that Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers remains a very realistic scenario despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the veteran quarterback’s future.

Steelers QB depth chart

At the moment, the three quarterbacks Mike McCarthy referenced are Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar, That’s the QB depth chart heading into offseason activities.

The obvious “fourth quarterback” would be Rodgers, whose prolonged decision process has once again created enormous uncertainty. Even with growing optimism surrounding Pittsburgh, the veteran continues dragging out the process without giving a final public answer.

If Rodgers eventually signs, it is very possible the Steelers carry four quarterbacks throughout much of the offseason and preseason before eventually making a roster decision closer to Week 1.

For now, however, the Steelers remain stuck waiting while every public comment, smile and reaction connected to Rodgers continues generating massive attention around the NFL.

“If Howard struggles mightily, then the door is cracked for Rudolph to stick around as the backup. In that scenario, Howard gets cut. That happens all the time to sixth-round picks, particularly when a new coaching staff takes over,” reported Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes player was selected with the 185th overall pick in 2025 but did not see any playing time or snaps during his rookie season. This could be a key factor when it comes to decision-making in the Steel City.

Howard is currently sharing the depth chart with Mason Rudolph and the recently drafted Drew Allar. Now it remains to be seen what decision Rodgers will ultimately make, and from there, head coach Mike McCarthy will choose his QB1 for the start of the season.

Rodgers’ numbers kept Howard off the field

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Rodgers delivered a masterclass in 2025 by throwing for 3,845 yards and 26 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. This high-level consistency, which led the team back to the postseason, meant there was zero opportunity for Howard to see the field.

However, the future remains a massive talking point in the Steel City, especially as the Steelers reportedly set a deadline for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will return for the 2026 campaign or finally hang up his cleats.

McCarthy has experience developing young QBs

Mike McCarthy’s reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” provides a significant reason for optimism regarding Will Howard’s future in Pittsburgh. McCarthy’s career is defined by his success in refining the mechanics of young passers, most notably overseeing the early career and peak years of Aaron Rodgers, but also playing a crucial role in the development of Brett Favre as his quarterbacks coach in the 90s.

More recently, his work in Dallas helped Dak Prescott achieve some of the most efficient passing numbers of his career. This history of maximizing talent through structured offensive systems suggests that Howard is in the right hands to transition from a developmental rookie into a reliable NFL starter.

“Nobody really knows what’s happening with Aaron Rodgers, but Drew Allar might be the most fascinating part of this entire Steelers situation,” ESPN analyst Chase Daniel said. “The flashes are special, but the inconsistencies have been frustrating. If he develops the right way, this could get very interesting.”

These inconsistencies refer to the quarterback’s ability to make high-level plays, as well as his tendency to make poor decisions in crucial moments. Ultimately, it will be his new coach’s job to help correct these mistakes.

Mike McCarthy’s track record of developing quarterbacks and young prospects is well known. With Allar, along with second-year player Will Howard, the Steelers clearly have plenty of talent to potentially replace A-Rod. Can this young group potentially carry the weight of a historic, championship-winning franchise?

Similarities between Rodgers and Allar

Drew Allar has often drawn comparisons to Aaron Rodgers due to his rare combination of prototypical size, a powerful arm, and the ability to deliver accurate passes from unconventional platforms. Much like a young Rodgers, Allar excels at maintaining a high touchdown-to-interception ratio, finishing his 2025 season at Penn State with 24 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions while throwing for 2,842 yards.

The Roethlisberger experience in Pittsburgh

Drew Allar is currently third on the depth chart. Ben Roethlisberger, the historic quarterback of this franchise, also went through the same situation back in 2004.

Big Ben was selected by the Steelers with the 11th overall pick and didn’t see the field until Week 2 after Tommy Maddox’s injury, earning his first start in Week 3 against Miami. From there, his legacy went on to include two Super Bowl titles (XL, XLIII).

What decision will McCarthy make in Pittsburgh?

It is difficult to know what will happen with the Steelers starting in Week 1. Many believe Rodgers will return for another season of redemption, while others see the young players as the foundation of a new era under McCarthy’s leadership.

Today, the quarterback room is made up not only of the aforementioned Allar and Howard, but also the experienced Mason Rudolph, who is also in the competition to earn a starting role.

Speaking to Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio, McCarthy said, “Definitely there was communication beforehand [with Aaron Rodgers] and it’s something that just puts us in position to be smart business wise.” This information is key, as it was reported that Rodgers could be frustrated with the Steelers over this contract move.

This could perfectly hint at the fact that the Steelers do know that Rodgers will be back. If there was uncertainty around his return to the NFL, this would all be pointless. Hence, this all signals a return from the four-time MVP.

Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 numbers

Rodgers guided the Steelers to the AFC North title with a 10-6 record. As for his individual numbers, Rodgers completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also delivered some huge flashback moments to his prime throughout the season.

While it was clear he wasn’t going to be the 4,000-yard quarterback he once was, Rodgers is still accurate and smart. His cleverness allows him to read defenses and if given time in the pocket, he is still capable to decimate defenses with pinpoint accuracy.

The Steelers have no quality plan B for Rodgers

At least for 2026, the Steelers do need Rodgers to come back. Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or recently-drafted Drew Allar are nowhere near Rodgers’ level. Rudolph has a low ceiling, while Howard and Allar are young, raw prospects that might not be NFL-ready just yet.

Hence, Rodgers coming back could actually make or break the Steelers season. Therefore, the right-of-refusal tender was key for the Steelers to get some certainty amid all the doubts surrounding the QB position.

“The buy-in is excellent,” McCarthy said during a press conference. “You have to make changes, there’s things you’re going to adjust, and there’s things you’re going to emphasize. . . . I think the buy-in has been excellent.”

The short-term goal? By mid-June, every player must understand each of their responsibilities. “I think we’re in a really good spot. I’m very pleased with participation. It’s a player-first teaching environment. We’ve been able to push a high volume of information to our players. The players have been outstanding.

“By June 12, our goal is to make sure everyone of our players has what they need schematically, the communication, the details of their roles and responsibilities are, and I think we’re off to a good start. I’ve been very impressed and appreciative of the time spent by our players.”

Continuing Tomlin’s legacy

Mike McCarthy faces the monumental task of upholding the ‘Steelers Way’ following the departure of Mike Tomlin, who led the franchise for 19 seasons without a single losing record. While both men are Super Bowl-winning head coaches, McCarthy must translate that shared championship pedigree into postseason success for a city that has grown accustomed to the elite standards set by his predecessor.

Tomlin leaves behind a legendary resume in Pittsburgh, including 193 regular-season wins, 8 AFC North titles, and a Super Bowl XLIII ring. For McCarthy to truly cement his own legacy in the Steel City, he will need to build upon Tomlin’s foundation of consistency while finding the spark to return the black and gold to the pinnacle of the NFL.

Tomlin’s new role in the NFL

Following his legendary tenure in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin is transitioning to the broadcast booth as a studio analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America. Starting in the 2026 season, the experienced coach will bring his signature leadership and sharp football IQ to the network’s flagship Sunday night pregame show, filling the high-profile vacancy left by Tony Dungy.

McCarthy already has his eye on the Draft

The Steelers are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with a massive arsenal of 12 total picks, including five within the first 100 selections. While they hold the 21st overall pick in the first round, the strategy under McCarthy and Omar Khan remains fluid due to the uncertainty surrounding their quarterback room. Although Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are currently on the roster, the team is still awaiting a definitive word on Aaron Rodgers’ return.

Regarding this critical situation, the team has acknowledged that Rodgers’ deadline might extend beyond the draft itself. This leaves the Steelers in a delicate position: they may use one of their early picks on a prospect like Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier to secure the future, or they could leverage their draft capital to bolster the offensive line and secondary while waiting for a final decision on the bridge starter role.

• Round 1: No. 21
• Round 2: No. 53
• Round 3: No. 76
• Round 3: No. 85
• Round 3: No. 99
• Round 4: No. 121
• Round 4: No. 135
• Round 5: No. 161
• Round 6: No. 216
• Round 7: No. 224
• Round 7: No. 230
• Round 7: No. 237

Despite lacking a clear long-term answer at the position, and with a lot of rumors surrounding Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers are not expected to force a solution early, choosing instead to remain flexible as the board unfolds.

That perspective was reinforced by analyst Matt Miller, who shed light on the team’s internal thinking. “The Steelers might not have a clear-cut quarterback of the future on the roster, but one internal source said that they won’t be forced to draft one this year. That source noted Pittsburgh will play the board first and that Will Howard, last year’s sixth-round pick, has fans in the front office.”

Steelers believe in Will Howard

One key factor in that patience appears to be the presence of Will Howard as the Steelers see enough upside to keep developing the young quarterback. While Howard is far from a proven starter, internal belief in his potential may reduce the pressure to invest heavily in another prospect right away.

Who will be Steelers QB in 2026?

Aaron Rodgers is the favorite to be the Steelers’ quarterback in 2026, but if he suddenly changes his decision, everything points to Mike McCarthy giving the reins to Will Howard. The big question is whether they will take another QB in the later rounds of the draft.