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

That is where my thinking is as well. Mason is a good backup, but he is doing nothing to move us into the future. In fact, by sucking up the #2 spot, he might be holding us back.

I think we are getting a vet who will start as #1. The list of who that could be is big. There are a lot of people beyond the list in this thread's poll that are on it. Just throwing out some other names that I don't think are impossible to become available. Flacco, Tua, Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, and JJ McCarthy. A combination of bad performance, unhappy fans, unhappy QBs, and money could lead to some names getting horse traded that might not be on the radar right now IMO.

Barring a big deal in training camp, our starter will be Rodgers if he returns. If not, it will be Willis or someone from the group I listed I bet. That starter will be a bridge for Howard unless they are doing unexpectedly well and keep the starting job for the entire season. Unless it is Rodgers, he would probably hold the starting job for the entire season unless it is really really bad. Howard will move to the #2 spot where he can get a chance to show what he has. They will release Rudolph and eat 1.6 million in dead cap. Draft some other QB in a later round and he will be the #3 who doesn't dress. With a good season or at least one that shows that Howard has something, we will draft for the team next year. If 2026 is a bust, we draft a QB from the front of the list in 2027.

 

I posted this over in the Draft section, but check out this article about LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and his Dad, Former QB coach under McCarthy in Dallas.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/steelers-coach-mike-mccarthy-quiet-130000636.html


Could this kid be McCarthy's Ace in the hole for fixing Pittsburgh's QB problems?
Dad, is currently OC for the Saints.

 

Nussmeier wasn't good this past season and didn't finish the season because of injury.

 

Get ready for the name
Allar
To be mentioned

 

Why isn’t this guy on the list?

 

because Our #18 is BETTER

SHEEEEEEEEEEEESH

 

If we get Burrow I take back everything bad I’ve said publicly and privately about the McCarthy hiring. If we get Flacco/Tua/Murray/Smith, I’m turning it up to 11

 

Well, you can cross Mayfield, Hurts, and Burrow off the list because that's not happening.

 

I agree that it is not going to happen. However, those are three QBs that if they did get shopped around, I would not be shocked. All 3 are under contract. They hold the # 10, 12 and 15 spots on the 2026 salary cap hits. There are a lot of reports that Burrow is very unhappy there. Mayfield and Hurts are the targets of a lot of fans who feel they are not getting it done. I personally don't think they will be available for a variety of reasons. However, I also don't believe that it is impossible for them to become available. And even if they do become available, I can't imagine that the Steelers are a prime choice destination for them to land.

 

Burrow might be unhappy but he's not going anywhere and if he did the Bengals won't trade him to Pittsburgh.

 

It's criminal that a Skylar Thompson reunion is not listed. Super Bowl or bust with Skylar.

 

Agree with this... none of those QBs are going anywhere.

 

McCarthy was high on Kyler Murray several years ago.....

 

I would like to see Howard start this year from week 1... but that's probably not gonna happen.

 

Now I say Rodgers. But he is very old and 50/50 to make it thorough another season.

 

The Steelers will get Simpson or Nussmeier, my guess.
Hopefully we can somehow get Simpson in round 2

 

I do see McCarthy scouting this kid probably already very familiar. His Father worked under McCarthy in Dallas. Won't be a 1st rounder due to his lack of stats dealing with an abdominal/torso injury in camp which he played through until he reaggravated it missing the last 3 games and the Texas Bowl.

Stats in 2025 were 1927 yards with 12 TD's and 5 picks.

Stats in 2024 were 4052 yards, 29 TD's and 12 picks.

The picks are a bit concerning but he is worth a look see.

 

The media making a big deal about that nonsense opposing HC always talk up players on the other team, Tomlin used to do the same thing at his press conferences.

 

Sure, if their intent is to tank and get the #1 pick in 2027 .

 

Makai Lemon in round 1 please .

 

I’m not even sure I would have gave him 50/50 last season

 

not if we have to “contend”

 

Today, I will say Will Howard will be QB1 for the season opener.

I'm still convinced AR will retire. He's not under any contract so any negotiations, delays in him making the decision, or any of the whole 'will he or won't he' debate doesn't interfere with business as usual for the team.

I will assume Mason will be back next season as primary backup to whoever the starter turns out to be. I will also assume another QB will be added to the room if only for TC purposes.