Why Steelers writer thinks Mason Rudolph is odd man out of crowded QB room

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their quarterback in place with Aaron Rodgers. However, if injuries were to arise, the Steelers want to ensure they have a proper backup plan in place.

As it stands, Pittsburgh has backup options in Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar. When head coach Mike McCarthy makes his final cuts, Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot expects Rudolph to draw the short end of the stick.

“Rudolph is a difficult player to assess. Will Howard will be given every chance to win the backup job, but how he performs this summer is anyone’s guess,” Kozora wrote. “There remains the slim chance the team opts to carry all four quarterbacks too. Still, Rudolph feels at the mercy of others and has been considered odd man out since Pittsburgh drafted Drew Allar.”

With the Steelers using a third-round pick on Allar, his spot on the roster is all but secured. Howard was a sixth-round pick a year prior. McCarthy wasn’t in charge then, so maybe he decides to move on. But Pittsburgh must be concerned about life post-Rodgers. Keeping Howards retains a young option who could take over the starting role in time.

Working in Rudolph’s favor is experience. He enters 2026 with 34 NFL games under his belt, including 19 starts. Rudolph has gone 9-9-1 overall, throwing for 4,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

When it comes to Steelers quarterbacks, all eyes will be on Rodgers. If Kozora’s prediction comes true, Rudolph may not even be in the conversation by the end of 2026. McCarthy still has a crucial QB decision to make.

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