On paper, the Pittsburgh Steelers might feel like they’re in a unique situation. Presumably, a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers will eventually sign and start. His backups could potentially be Will Howard and Drew Allar, a pair of players who have yet to take a preseason snap, let alone see regular-season action. Some are skeptical that it will happen. 

The stark contrast between veteran starter and inexperienced backup is unnerving. But whether you look at it through Pittsburgh’s or Mike McCarthy’s lens, it’s a spot they’ve been in before.

Pittsburgh Steelers
2018: Ben Roethlisberger starter, Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph backups

Matthew Marczi correctly pointed to one relatively recent example. In 2018, the Steelers went into the season with Roethlisberger starting and youth behind. Dobbs was a 2017 fourth-round selection who logged zero snaps during his rookie regular season. He did enough to beat out Landry Jones for one of the team’s spots on the roster. Rudolph, a third-round rookie, slotted in behind.

It’s a situation pretty similar to the present day. An aging future Hall of Famer starting, Roethlisberger and Rodgers. A second-year Day Three selection with zero regular-season action, Dobbs and Howard. A third-round rookie, Rudolph and Allar.

Dobbs played during his rookie year’s preseason, and his mobility helped. But the Steelers still went into the year with green options behind Roethlisberger for a franchise in win-now mode.

Mike McCarthy
Green Bay Packers, 2008: Aaron Rodgers starter, Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm backups

Rodgers wasn’t the savvy vet he is today. In fact, 2008 was his first year as a full-time starter, taking over for Brett Favre. But the backups were even less experienced. Brohm and Flynn were drafted that year. Brohm was the second round pick, and Flynn was in the seventh.

Flynn actually beat Brohm out for the No. 2 duties, an ominous sign of Brohm’s ultimately uneventful NFL career. Neither ended up playing much behind Rodgers that year, but McCarthy went into the year with two rookies as his Plan B and C.

Green Bay Packers, 2012: Aaron Rodgers starter, Graham Harrell backup

At this point, Rodgers was the unquestioned franchise starter and Super Bowl winner. Green Bay opted to keep Harrell as the lone backup on the 53-man roster. He was entering his third season in the league and knew the offense, but had yet to appear in a regular-season game. He ended up throwing four passes on the year.

Green Bay Packers, 2016: Aaron Rodgers starter, Brett Hundley backup

A fifth-round pick, Hundley was in his second season after spending his rookie year as the No. 3 and seeing zero regular-season snaps. McCarthy felt comfortable enough to elevate him to the No. 2 for 2016, replacing the outgoing Scott Tolzien.

Hundley’s services were hardly needed, throwing 10 passes and making zero starts all season.

Dallas Cowboys, 2021: Dak Prescott starter, Cooper Rush backup

The latest example comes during McCarthy’s second year with the Cowboys. He inherited Prescott as the team’s franchise quarterback. Rush became the backup. He had been in the league since 2017 and on Dallas’ practice squad in 2020, but had thrown three total NFL regular-season passes entering 2021.

McCarthy trusted him enough to back up Prescott. Rush was forced into action in Week 8, making his first start after Prescott was ruled out with a calf strain. Rush did enough to lead the Cowboys to a 20-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

“I was glad everybody got to see that, because that’s Cooper Rush,” McCarthy said after the win. “He plays the quarterback position like a seasoned veteran.”

Final Thoughts

No two quarterback situations are alike. Each player and each case is different. The summer will write the story, and injuries can always change outcomes. But history shows the Steelers and McCarthy are willing to enter the regular season without clearly established veteran backups. For as much as McCarthy seems to like Will Howard and clearly is a fan of Drew Allar, there’s reason to believe the Steelers can and will go into 2026 with Howard and Allar backing up Rodgers.