Steelers Depth Chart: Mason Rudolph Listed as Backup QB Over Will Howard, Drew Allar

The Pittsburgh Steelers are exactly five weeks away from kicking off their 2026 season, and coach Mike McCarthy just gave fans their first real look at how he sees the roster shaking out. The Steelers released their first official depth chart of training camp, and Mason Rudolph has the early edge in the backup quarterback competition.

Rudolph is listed as QB2 behind Aaron Rodgers, with Will Howard slotted at QB3 and rookie third-round pick Drew Allar at QB4. The chart came a week into camp at Saint Vincent College, roughly a week before Pittsburgh opens its preseason slate against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 13.

Rudolph Gets Early Praise From McCarthy

McCarthy hasn’t hidden his opinion of Rudolph so far. Speaking to reporters after a recent practice, the first-year Steelers coach praised the veteran’s arm.

"He throws the ball better than I thought…. He's been impressive"

-McCarthy on Rudolph https://t.co/dfQ4JXq665

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 6, 2026

Rudolph is entering his eighth season with the Steelers. He’s never been the long-term answer at quarterback, but he’s proven over the years that he can operate an offense without turning the ball over. That matters more in 2026 than in past seasons, given who he’s backing up.

Why Rodgers’ Age Makes This Battle Matter

Rodgers is 42 years old and beginning his second season in Pittsburgh after signing a one-year deal worth up to $25 million to return, a contract McCarthy and the front office pushed hard to get done. He’s already called this his final NFL run. That reality puts real weight on whoever sits behind him on the depth chart — if Rodgers goes down or needs a breather, Pittsburgh needs someone who can step in without the offense collapsing.

According to Yahoo Sports, McCarthy has said Rudolph will get the first crack at those No. 2 reps in camp, while Howard and Allar split time behind him as they compete for the No. 3 job. That’s a notable decision given the draft capital Pittsburgh has invested in its younger arms.

Howard and Allar Still Waiting for Their Shot

Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, has the mobility and accuracy teams look for but hasn’t taken a regular-season snap in the NFL. Allar, this year’s third-round pick from Penn State, is even further behind in terms of live reps. Neither has played in a real NFL game yet, and training camp reps behind Rudolph won’t do much to change that in the near term.

Both will get looks during Pittsburgh’s three preseason games — against the Packers on Aug. 13, the New York Jets on Aug. 21, and a road trip to Buffalo on Aug. 27 — which will be the clearest evidence yet of where the coaching staff’s evaluation actually stands once game reps are on tape.

What’s Next

This is an initial depth chart, not a final decision. Depth charts shift constantly throughout camp and the preseason, and Howard or Allar could easily climb if either flashes in exhibition games. For now, though, Rudolph has the clearest path to meaningful snaps if Rodgers needs a spell at any point in 2026.

The Steelers open their regular season at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium.