​The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a four-man quarterback room dilemma that will likely force one signal-caller to miss the 53-man roster. The solution, though straightforward, is worth a closer look. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Allar are nearly locks to secure spots on the 53-man roster, which effectively places Mason Rudolph or Will Howard on the outside looking in. While some argue that Rudolph could be more essential to Pittsburgh’s plans for 2026, letting go of Howard would be a misstep.
Heading into Week 1, Sunday, Sept. 13, the matchup against the Atlanta Falcons at 1:00 p.m. ET, the room’s composition becomes even more critical. Rudolph has demonstrated he can be a reliable backup, and the Steelers have certainly benefited from his experience. Yet fans have seen Rudolph’s ceiling, and Howard remains notably young, with the potential to challenge Allar for the starting job in 2027.
Cutting Howard simply to keep him on the practice squad would be a risky move. Given the franchise’s ongoing challenge in finding a long-term successor to Ben Roethlisberger, depriving the team of a young quarterback with upside could backfire. Stashing Howard on the practice squad might seem prudent on the surface, but it would be a high-stakes gamble that could limit the Steelers’ flexibility and future options at the most important position.
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