Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback who’s seen pretty much everything the NFL can throw at a guy, was genuinely caught off guard by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ call to keep four signal-callers on their active roster. It’s not just a big number, it’s a move that clearly had even an NFL veteran like Rodgers doing a double-take.
Pittsburgh’s Unexpected QB Gambit
Before the preseason even kicked off, the Steelers’ quarterback room was the buzz of the league. You had Mason Rudolph holding down the veteran backup spot, Will Howard in his second year looking to step up, and rookie Drew Allar, pegged as the high-ceiling project Mike McCarthy was ready to mold into a potential starter. Most of us figured Howard would snag that No. 2 spot from Rudolph if he balled out enough in camp and preseason. But Pittsburgh pulled a fast one. Instead of moving on from Rudolph and betting solely on the young guns, they kept all four quarterbacks. And yeah, Rodgers himself was shocked. “I did not expect four quarterbacks on the roster,” he straight-up said on Cam Heyward’s podcast, _Not Just Football_. He added, “I’ve never been part of [a room that kept] four quarterbacks. There were many years where two were just active and one on the p-squad.” When Drew was drafted, Rodgers knew it would “definitely shake things up in that room,” but four? That’s next-level.
Rodgers Gives His Seal of Approval, Despite the Surprise
Even with the unexpected roster math, Rodgers was all praise for the guys themselves. He applauded Mason Rudolph big time for how much he improved during the offseason and for his play in that first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers felt Rudolph had “closed the door” on any backup quarterback conversations with his performance. He also wasn’t shy about how proud he was of both Will Howard and Drew Allar. “I love Will. He’s been in my hip pocket for a year now… it was fun to see him go out there because he’s basically a rookie. He didn’t play last year in the preseason,” Rodgers explained, highlighting Howard’s growth. And for Allar, Rodgers noted, “Drew’s been a sponge, as well. Quiet, as most rookies are. But it’s one of my all-time favorite rooms for sure.” That’s high praise from a guy like Rodgers for a rookie quarterback.
This unique QB setup for Pittsburgh is definitely something to watch as the regular season gets going. What does it mean for player development, depth, and overall team strategy? We’ll get more insight when Part II of Heyward and Rodgers’ conversation drops later this week. You gotta wonder if this four-QB strategy is a genius move or just a really crowded meeting room.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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