Who will be the Steelers starting QB in the 2026 season opener?

McCarthy has said he prefers pocket passers. If Aaron doesn’t come back, I predict that Rudolph will do well in training camp and grab the spot. He’s a free agent next year and last chance to make money before he ages out.

 

Doesn't matter. The standard is the standard

 

I don't think Mason's on the list.
I guess if the pickings get that slim they keep him.

 

I think McCarthy will develop Howard aggressively, and that’s exactly what needs to happen. At worst, Howard should be the QB2 this year, you just can’t let a young QB with an upside sit on the pine and rot. If he's got it, find out early.

Mason’s been a solid backup, but it feels like it might be time to move on.

From there, it really comes down to the big questions: do they draft a QB or not, and which veteran do they bring in to bridge the gap?

 

i really don't understand why the brought mason back anyway. they knew what he was and i don't think tomlin liked him honsetly...

 

Based on exactly what

What he has accomplished in the NFL

I’m rooting for him but I also am very well aware of what he is

 

He’s a vet backup

They will keep a vet backup

His contract for a vet backup is fair

He is under contract

 

Yes

If he earns it

Yes

They need a veteran backup and Mason is under contract

Yes

 

They’ll pickup a veteran FA. It will either be him or MR starting week 1.

only way Howard starts is if these two guys get injured.

 

Or he outplays them

That is not likely but he could pass Mason for #2

 

I know you didn’t put Justin Fields in poll?
Where’s Joe Flacco?
Is he categorized as Other?
Lol

 

There he is
Uncle Joe

 

Flacco to be a back up is a smart movie. Draft a QB in the draft after the first round and see if you can pit him and Howard against each other.

 

Mason has regular game experience and he’s won a few important games. Howard hast faced a situation like that. He hasn't even played in the preseason, so hed have to pick things uo pretty quick and learn to handle a real NFL defense to pass MR or any veteran. As a 6th rounder i wouldn't get my hopes up

 

I want it to be Howard... I expect it to be either Ty Simpson or Aaron Rodgers.

 

Nothing... But that doesn't mean he won't be an option. We hired McCarthy to develop a young QB. I would expect Howard to start at some point this season if he's anything other than hot garbage in camp/practice.

 

I would assume Mason has close to zero chance of starting (as it should be), if we are starting Mason... we are not going to be good. But that doesn't mean we are going to get rid of him. He costs nothing and has experience. He brings value at his cap hit as a QB2/3

 

If Rodgers comes back…

I hope he gets into camp right away, I understand it was personal reasons he waited this past season, and not sure if it will make a difference or not, but his legs are shot…can he get in shape and turn back the clock a bit?

 

I don't disagree. He's a cheap fill.
McCarthy said he knows who's in the QB room. I get the heavy feeling a couple QB's will be added. They are not afraid of letting him go.
I really think a lot of it will be based on the new OC and McCarthy himself.
My prediction would be that Mason doesn't make the cut. Could prove me wrong. I don't mind, he should always give his best effort.

 

If McCarthy is such a QB whisperer why can't he coach up Rudolph to #1?

 

Because there isn't any developing left for Mason to do... He's a finished product at this point. You bring in a coach to upskill a young QB with talent that can develop and improve that into NFL consistency. Not take a 30 yr old plus QB with marginal talent and turn him into something he isn't.

 

As it currently stands, the order would pf likelihood would be Rodgers, then Rudolph, then Howard. But that could change drastically between kickoff, and is contingent upon so many huge variables, that it seems almost silly to discuss at such an early stage.

AR could easily retire or leave for a different team.

If AR does leave, then does MM goes full-MT mode and bring in a new (likely geriatric) vet to take his place? If so, then, barring a preseason injury, this vet would presumably start.

If not, they could conceivably promote Rudolph to QB1 for his one season – he has would have the most experience, and players and coaches like him...although it would also likely also be done with an unstated hope that they could potentially secure a better draft position in the event that he sucks, which is quite possible. They would never say this, though.

Howard could start, but I think that would only happen if he plays extremely well in the preseason and/or there are a string of injuries that move him up to the top spot, not unlike what happened to Ben early in his rookie season. If MM or the OC really likes what they see in Howard, though, it's not impossible that he might take the top spot over Rudolph...however, if AR returns or another vet is brought in, then it would likely require an injury.

There is the possibility that they somehow snag a top rated QB prospect...but, barring a string of some truly catasrophic injuries to Rudolph, Howard and/or the vet, it's highly unlikely that the Steelers would ever start him – or at least not right off the bat. Considering what happened with Pickett after throwing him into the fire during his rookie season (which, if we're being honest, they only did just to quiet the booing from ticket holders) – a decision which I would bet most inside of the organization would later see as having been highly detrimental to Pickett's development – I doubt they would be keen on doing that again, and especially not right out of the gate.

 

AR if he wants to