The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to quarterback drama, but the 2026 season could bring an unexpected twist to their depth chart. According to a bold prediction from CBS Sports' Garett Podell, if veteran Aaron Rodgers doesn't return to the Steel City, the starting job might surprisingly go to rookie Drew Allar—a third-round pick who's already turning heads.

Podell's reasoning centers on head coach Mike McCarthy's confidence in the young signal-caller. "McCarthy wouldn't have drafted Allar on Day 2 if he didn't believe in his potential," Podell wrote. "Perhaps McCarthy sees Allar as a quicker decision-maker than Rudolph or Howard." However, there's a major caveat: if Rodgers decides to come back to Pittsburgh, he reclaims the starting role immediately. The situation is complicated by the Steelers placing a rare right-of-first-refusal tag on Rodgers, which hasn't stopped rumors linking him to other teams, including the Arizona Cardinals.

While the Steelers maintain they're in constant communication with Rodgers and still expect his return, the offseason chatter has made the quarterback room anything but settled. Even if Rodgers doesn't suit up in black and gold again, it's a tough sell to imagine the team bypassing Howard for the starting nod—especially after a full year learning under Rodgers in 2025.

For Steelers fans, this is a storyline worth watching as the offseason unfolds. Whether it's a veteran legend returning or a rookie making an early statement, Pittsburgh's quarterback position is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the league. Stay tuned for more updates as the team navigates these high-stakes decisions.