The Steelers may have a rookie quarterback on the roster in Drew Allar, but the path to real playing time in 2026 looks awfully narrow.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Allar is the least likely of the team’s developmental quarterbacks to see the field this season. Graziano wrote, “But Allar feels less likely to play this season than Beck or Klubbnik,” and added, “... we can't rule out Allar starting in a tryout-type role if Pittsburgh's season collapses, but it usually does not.”
That lines up with how Pittsburgh’s quarterback room is set up. Aaron Rodgers is in line to start in 2026, and that figures to be his final NFL season. Behind him sits Mason Rudolph as the backup, with Will Howard and Allar also on the roster as developmental options.
For Allar to get a crack at starting, the Steelers would likely need something unusual. Rodgers would have to miss time with an injury, or Pittsburgh would have to hit some kind of late-season scenario that opens the door. One possibility mentioned is the Steelers locking up a playoff spot before Week 18 and choosing to rest Rodgers for the first round.
Even then, Allar wouldn’t be the only candidate. Rudolph and Howard would also be in the mix if Pittsburgh needed another starter.
So for now, the most likely outcome is the simplest one: Allar spends his rookie year on the bench, learns behind Rodgers, and heads into the 2027 training camp and preseason with a legitimate shot to win the QB1 job. That next summer’s competition could include Howard, or a new rookie quarterback, free-agent addition, or trade pickup.
For 2026, though, the Steelers appear set to keep the Penn State rookie parked on the sideline.
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