Aaron Rodgers is rolling into the 2026 NFL season as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback, locked in for what is expected to be the final chapter of a legendary career. That’s the main event, no doubt.
Allar’s Rookie Year Is Already Sidelined
But after the Hall of Famer, things get crowded fast in the Steelers’ QB room. They’ve got Mason Rudolph as the backup, then Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar tabbed as developmental projects. With four signal-callers on the roster, everyone’s wondering what the heck the plan is for Allar’s rookie year. Well, ESPN’s Dan Graziano dropped the bombshell, and it’s probably not what most fans wanted to hear: Allar is “less likely to play this season than Beck or Klubbnik.” Oof. It sounds like the kid is headed straight for the bench.
Why the Star Rookie Won’t See the Field
This isn’t just a guess; it’s the most likely plan. Rodgers is expected to go the distance as the starter, especially since the Steelers are geared up to contend for the playoffs in his final season. Benching Rodgers simply isn’t in the cards. For Allar to even sniff the field, we’d need an injury to Rodgers or some wild, extreme circumstances. Maybe if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot super early and decide to rest Rodgers in Week 18, Allar *could* get a look. But even then, Rudolph and Howard are also in the mix for those potential snaps, making Allar’s odds pretty slim. Graziano notes that while a season collapse *could* open the door for a “tryout-type role” for Allar, it “usually does not” happen for Pittsburgh.
So, what’s the path forward for the former Penn State star? It looks like he’s settling in for a full season on the bench, soaking up all the knowledge from Rodgers. His real shot to win the QB1 job is shaping up for 2027 training camp and preseason. That competition will be must-watch stuff, whether it’s against Howard, a new rookie QB, a free agent pick-up, or even a trade addition. But for now, in 2026, it’s highly likely this Penn State rookie won’t be seeing any game action.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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