{"id":285217,"date":"2026-09-13T16:30:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T16:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/285217\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T16:30:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T16:30:39","slug":"steelers-make-emergency-qb-decision-for-falcons-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/285217\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers Make Emergency QB Decision for Falcons Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

With four quarterbacks on the roster, two of whom have clearly-defined roles in Aaron Rodgers<\/a> and Mason Rudolph as the starter and backup, respectively, the only potential intrigue was who the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> would go with as their No. 3 option at the position.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Steelers made the expected decision by choosing Will Howard over Drew Allar for that role, with the former serving as the emergency No. 3 signal caller while also being inactive in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Allar, meanwhile, is a game-day inactive and cannot play in the season opener regardless of what transpires.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) looks to pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Can Howard Eventually Take Backup Job from Rudolph?<\/p>\n

Howard’s chances of beating out Rudolph for the backup role felt solid for most of the offseason.<\/p>\n

Once it became clear Pittsburgh<\/a> was serious about keeping all four of its quarterbacks, and after Rudolph entered training camp as the No. 2 option, however, Howard had to fight an uphill battle that he ultimately couldn’t overcome.<\/p>\n

The Steelers still believe in his potential or they otherwise wouldn’t have retained him at the roster cutdown deadline. Howard had a rather rough preseason though, throwing three interceptions over the final two games, and needs more time to develop after his rookie year was essentially a wash due to a hand injury he suffered in training camp.<\/p>\n

There won’t be many, if any, opportunities for Howard to prove himself worthy of supplanting Rudolph on the depth chart, so unless the latter has to play multiple games in a situation where Rodgers gets hurt and he subsequently doesn’t perform well, it’s hard to imagine the former seeing the field this season.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Aug 21, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) looks to pass against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Could Allar Take Over the No. 3 Role?<\/p>\n

For the most part, Allar’s rookie campaign will serve as a redshirt year.<\/p>\n

The third-round pick showed some flashes throughout the preseason, and he has the tools to potentially develop into a starter for Pittsburgh<\/a> down the line.<\/p>\n

Still, the organization is well-aware of the fact that Allar is a work in progress, and putting him in a position where there’s at least a chance that he could be called upon to play during the regular season might not be the smartest course of action.<\/p>\n

All eyes are on 2027 for Allar. It’s not impossible that he could eventually take the No. 3 job from Howard, but such an outcome doesn’t feel particularly likely at the moment.<\/p>\n

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI,\u00a0and find our podcast All Steelers Talk on YouTube\u00a0or anywhere you listen!<\/a><\/p>\n

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