Mike McCarthy Reveals Steelers QB Plan in Preseason Opener

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not announced a starting quarterback for their first preseason game, but they do have an outline for how they'll spread out the reps.

Aug 03, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws a pass during a practice session at Training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't yet made a concrete decision on who will start at quarterback in the team's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, but they at least have an outline.

Head coach Mike McCarthy told the media that while the team is still drawing up their plan and will have more to report back on once additional meetings are conducted, his likely intention is to go with three groups - one that will go through a series or two, a second that will finish out the first half from there and a third that will stay on the field for the second half.

Regardless of which quarterback falls into those respective categories, it'll be an opportunity for the backup battle to take center stage between Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, the latter of whom will play in the first game of his professional career next to Drew Allar, even if it's not technically an official contest.

Jul 30, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) participates in training camp drills at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Importance of Preseason Opener for Steelers' QBs

Ahead of his Steelers debut after a hand injury kept him out of the preseason and on the reserve/injured list through Week 11 as a rookie last year, Howard couldn't contain excitement to finally get out on the field against Green Bay while speaking with reporters on August 10.

“I’m so fired up,” Howard said. “I can’t wait for the game, but obviously I’m trying to take it day by day. It’s still camp. But, you know, sometimes you can’t help but look forward a little bit and start getting excited just to be out there in live game reps.”

Howard has the most to both gain and lose among all of Pittsburgh's signal callers. The 2025 sixth-rounder has been up-and-down during training camp, with a good start to his time in Latrobe this summer before a rather poor finish to his second week there.

Rudolph entered camp as the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers, and nothing has changed on that front thus far. The 31-year-old has been as steady as expected, and while it's not always exciting with him, he's the type of stabilizing veteran presence that any team would covet as their backup.

As a result, Howard must go above and beyond both against the Packers and in each of Pittsburgh's following two preseason bouts in order to make up enough ground in the race for the No. 2 job to hold any sort of suspense leading into final roster cuts at the end of the month.

Allar, on the other hand, just has to show progress week-over-week and prove that he has taken steps forward when it comes to his mechanics, footwork and processing.

The third-round pick is a lock to make the 53-man roster as the No. 3 quarterback, meaning he isn't facing the same type of pressure that Howard or even Rudolph are at the moment.

Still, some conclusions are going to be drawn about Allar based on he performs this preseason whether it's right or wrong, and jumping out to a strong start against the Packers would provide a good foundation for the rookie to work off of.

Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI, and find our podcast All Steelers Talk on YouTube or anywhere you listen!