Steelers backup quarterback competition: Who will be Pittsburgh’s QB2?

LATROBE, Pa. —

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy talked about Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation as the team reported to training camp at Saint Vincent College on Tuesday.

Aaron Rodgers is the established starter, with veteran Mason Rudolph, second-year QB Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar competing for backup spots on the roster.

“Aaron will take the ones, Mason will start out with the second group, and Will and Drew will take the third-group reps, so that’s the way we’ll start,” McCarthy said about his practice plans.

Backup QB competition

McCarthy was asked about the backup quarterback competition in training camp.

He said, “I’ve never really looked at it as second or third. You’ve got to get your starter ready, and the responsibility to get the starter ready is not only on the quarterback coach and the play caller, but it’s also on the other quarterbacks. And then, the starter’s responsibility is to make sure those other three are connected because we’ve got to move the room along.”

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“We know what the starter can do, but we’ve got to make sure he’s ready to go, so he’s got to get his reps,” McCarthy said. “And if it’s 50%, great. If it’s 40, awesome. If it’s 60, that’s what it will be. Obviously with our relationship and his experience level, he (Rodgers) is going to have a hand in that.

“But we need to get the other three to grow, especially the two young puppies, so that will be the approach for us.”

Could the Steelers keep all four QBs?

McCarthy was asked if keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is an option.

“I don’t know why it wouldn’t be,” he said. “I’m not philosophically opposed to keeping the best players.”

The coach explained his outlook on how to determine the makeup of the final roster.

“This is how I’ve always done it: Who deserves to be on the 53? And then, now you’ve got to figure out who’s 54 and who’s 55, who maybe perform better than 51, 52 and 53?” McCarthy said. “That’s why you have camp. That’s why we’re up here to compete. The 21 days will give us a great look into that.

“I think all four of those guys, if you were picking the team today, would be definitely a part of that 53 conversation.”

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