SerpApi.Org
While starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and 2026 third-round draft choice Drew Allar are both on track to be on the Pittsburgh Steelers' active roster this coming September, the futures of longtime backup Mason Rudolph and 2025 rookie Will Howard are up in the air.
The Steelers reportedly aren't planning on having four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster later this summer. During the latest edition of his podcast, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger gave his former club some advice regarding its Rudolph-Howard dilemma.
Why Ben Roethlisberger thinks Steelers should keep Will Howard over Mason Rudolph
"You want to have two young guys because one of those could be your potential quarterback of the next 5-10 years," Roethlisberger explained, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "I'm not saying either one is or isn't a franchise guy, but could be. I think the smart thing is to keep those two guys because I think Aaron says he's done after this year..."
Back in May, Rodgers revealed that he intends to retire after Pittsburgh plays its final game of the upcoming season. While Rudolph has shown he can notch the occasional win as a temporary QB1, Howard has yet to take an NFL regular-season in-game snap.
That said, Rudolph isn't a long-term answer at the sport's most important position for any team at this stage of his career. Howard may merely be a lottery ticket, but Roethlisberger is among those who think the Steelers shouldn't give up on the prospect until Howard is allowed to show what he is and/or isn't at the highest level.
Steelers should eventually want Will Howard, Drew Allar to compete for starting job
"I think that's the smartest move because if you dealt one of them and kept Mason and Player A, whoever it may be, you're putting a lot of eggs in that one basket," Roethlisberger continued. "Now, if you have two young guys, they're only a year apart, very similar in styles, now you're like, 'We can put half our eggs in this basket, half in this basket, see how they do, let them compete.'"
Of course, Roethlisberger's proposed plan could sound downright silly if Howard doesn't look ready for prime time when the Steelers open the preseason with a matchup versus the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 13. However, Howard could take the lead in the battle for the QB2 job if he plays well in that contest or if he and Rudolph produce similar results against the Packers.
Want more articles like this? Follow Yardbarker on MSN to see more of our exclusive NFL content.
More must-reads:
