The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason. With Aaron Rodgers' potential return hanging in the balance—and growing frustration from the organization over the delay—the team is preparing for life after the future Hall of Famer. That means all eyes are on the young guns set to battle for the starting job.
Enter Drew Allar, the Steelers' third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Will Howard, a sixth-round selection from 2025. Veteran Mason Rudolph is also in the mix, but the real competition is between these two rising talents. And according to CBS Sports analyst Mike Renner, there's a clear front-runner.
“I was incredibly low on Howard,” Renner said on 93.7 The Fan. “I don’t even think it’s close. I thought Howard was a backup at best. He was just very robotic. He did not have the fluid athleticism of a Drew Allar. I saw a guy who was going to struggle with out-of-structure stuff at the NFL level, and just creating anything out of tight pockets. I was truthfully surprised with where the Steelers even picked him last year.”
Renner's praise for Allar was equally emphatic. “I thought the Allar pick was a worthwhile swing. If you would’ve said that this guy was a third-round pick as a sophomore after what he did that year, you just would’ve been surprised. If that’s how he would’ve ended his career, I think a lot of people would’ve been surprised, because he was on a much higher trajectory.”
For Steelers fans, this quarterback battle couldn't come at a more critical time. If Rodgers decides to walk away—or the team moves on—the pressure will be on Allar and Howard to prove they can lead the offense. Renner's bold take suggests Allar has the edge in athleticism and upside, but the real test will come on the practice field and in preseason action.
Whether you're rooting for the rookie sensation or the veteran underdog, one thing is certain: the Steelers' QB competition is going to be must-watch football. And with the right gear, you can rep your favorite signal-caller all season long.