Head coach Mike McCarthy just laid it all out there: Pittsburgh looks absolutely locked in on carrying four quarterbacks into the new season. That’s right, four! It’s an unheard-of move for most teams, but McCarthy pretty much confirmed it after their preseason finale, a tough 28-27 loss against Buffalo.
The Young Guns and the Coach’s Take
You gotta wonder how they’re making this work, right? We saw the two young guys, second-year QB Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar, split all the snaps in that Buffalo game. Howard, who started and played the first half, went 9 of 15 for 69 yards, slinging two touchdowns but also tossing an interception. Allar played the whole second half, going 9 of 18 for 88 yards with no scores and no picks. Decent numbers for preseason, but it’s McCarthy’s confidence that really jumps out.
He said, and I quote, “I feel good about the quarterback room. I’ve been saying it for quite some time, and they’ve showed it on the field. We’ve got two veterans that we can win with, and we’ve got two young guys that we’re really excited about their future.” That sounds like a guy who’s not just talking, but genuinely believes in what he’s got. The question is, can you really carry four on the initial 53-man roster?
The Aaron Rodgers Dilemma: Old Dog, New Tricks?
So, if they’re keeping four, one of those veterans is Aaron Rodgers, and man, is his situation spicy. The guy’s 42! He’s back for his second and final season, and the oddsmakers aren’t exactly betting big, setting Pittsburgh’s Over/Under at just 8.5 wins. That puts them squarely on the playoff bubble, which is exactly where they’ve been the last three years: 10-7 records and wild card losses. Talk about being stuck in neutral.
Rodgers gives them the best shot at ending that brutal 10-year drought without a playoff win. Last year, he still put up solid numbers: a 65.7 completion percentage, 3322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. His football IQ is elite, his touch legendary, and he’s still got that fierce competitive drive. But let’s be real, he’s 42. He can’t move like he used to, and he absolutely hates taking big hits, which can lead to hurried throws and questionable decisions. The Steelers are clearly all-in on contending every single year, but how much can a 42-year-old Rodgers push that needle?
This four-QB commitment, if it holds, signals Pittsburgh’s dedication to both winning now and developing for later. The team’s record of 22 consecutive non-losing seasons is on the line, and the pressure is on. Can Rodgers defy Father Time and break that playoff win curse? Or will one of those young guys eventually emerge? This season is going to be wild, and every single snap will count. Keep your eyes peeled!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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