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

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by steelersrule6, Jan 23, 2026.

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

  1. Mason Rudolph

    5 vote(s)
    9.4%

  2. Will Howard

    17 vote(s)
    32.1%

  3. Aaron Rodgers

    14 vote(s)
    26.4%

  4. Malik Willis

    2 vote(s)
    3.8%

  5. Justin Fields (reunion) lol

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. Rookie QB

    1 vote(s)
    1.9%

  7. Other free agent QB

    10 vote(s)
    18.9%

  8. Trade for QB

    4 vote(s)
    7.5%
Page 5 of 6
  1. HeinzMustard

    HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

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    Malik Willis or Mack Jones would be good... but I think Jones is under contract like Rudolph is here. I don't care who they bring in... as long as they are 30 years of age or younger.
     
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:33 PM
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:33 PM
    #101
  2. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

    47,190
    11,412
    Oct 16, 2011
    Yeah they have to trade for Jones. I thought he was a free agent and he was one of the guys I thought they should go after.

    I guess it would depend on what it takes to get him here.
     
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:35 PM
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:35 PM
    #102
  3. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We want in so we can bark to go out again

    37,841
    13,196
    Oct 26, 2011
    I’m going to need a bigger wacker


    IMG_5682.jpeg
     
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:36 PM
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:36 PM
    #103
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
  4. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
    9,630
    Nov 14, 2011
    Guys like Purdy and Brady are outliers for sixth round picks at QB.
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:37 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:37 PM
    #104
  5. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We want in so we can bark to go out again

    37,841
    13,196
    Oct 26, 2011
    I was talking about the mod job
     
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:38 PM
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:38 PM
    #105
    • Like Like x 1
  6. HeinzMustard

    HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

    13,457
    3,521
    Nov 18, 2015
    Purdy was 7th round pick. Last pick of the draft.
     
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:38 PM
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:38 PM
    #106
    • Like Like x 1
  7. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
    9,630
    Nov 14, 2011


    McCarthy came here to win #7 :hehehe:


    :herewego!:
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:41 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:41 PM
    #107
    • Winner Winner x 1
  8. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
    9,630
    Nov 14, 2011
    You get my point late round pick QB that can win at a high level is rare.
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    #108
  9. HeinzMustard

    HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

    13,457
    3,521
    Nov 18, 2015

    I'm sure Tomlin strived to get #7.... it never materialized. That's what happens when Tomlin hires "comfortable" coordinators. I fear the same thing is gonna happen with McCarthy.
     
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    HeinzMustard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
    #109
  10. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
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    Nov 14, 2011
    Well, there is only one current HC that has won more than one Super Bowl :shrug:.
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:48 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:48 PM
    #110
  11. Mr.wizard

    Mr.wizard Well-Known Member

    96
    24
    Aug 27, 2025
    If It were me I would be going for Anthony Richardson, bring him in and let him compete with Howard. If they both flop you get your guy in the draft the next season.
     
    Mr.wizard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:59 PM
    Mr.wizard, Jan 29, 2026 at 2:59 PM
    #111
  12. Steelersfan43

    Steelersfan43 Well-Known Member

    11,900
    3,353
    Aug 10, 2016
     
    Steelersfan43, Jan 29, 2026 at 3:05 PM
    Steelersfan43, Jan 29, 2026 at 3:05 PM
    #112
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
    • Very Optimistic Very Optimistic x 1
  13. Born2Steel

    Born2Steel Well-Known Member

    4,327
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    Jul 7, 2023
    The Anthony Richardson that took himself out of a game because he was 'tired'? Wow!
     
    Born2Steel, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:09 PM
    Born2Steel, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:09 PM
    #113
    • Like Like x 2
  14. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

    18,278
    5,532
    Nov 4, 2011
    Oh hell… I was hopeful for Howard, but this dooms him to fail.
     
    Steel_Elvis, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:21 PM
    Steel_Elvis, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:21 PM
    #114
    • Winner Winner x 2
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
  15. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

    18,278
    5,532
    Nov 4, 2011
    I’d only bring Richardson in to compete for Jonnu Smith’s position.
     
    Steel_Elvis, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
    Steel_Elvis, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:23 PM
    #115
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  16. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
    9,630
    Nov 14, 2011


    Sucks for all of you Will Howard fanboys :eek:
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 5:47 PM
    #116
  17. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

    39,253
    9,630
    Nov 14, 2011
     
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 5:51 PM
    steelersrule6, Jan 29, 2026 at 5:51 PM
    #117
  18. Steelvision

    Steelvision Well-Known Member

    2,110
    478
    Jun 28, 2022
    No, but they will add another mid tier FA (trey lance, Minshew or even Marriotta) and possibly an early to mid round draft pick or bring back skylar. Howard will end up 2nd or 3rd string at best, if he plays well in preseason.
     
    Steelvision, Jan 29, 2026 at 6:07 PM
    Steelvision, Jan 29, 2026 at 6:07 PM
    #118
  19. Born2Steel

    Born2Steel Well-Known Member

    4,327
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    Jul 7, 2023
    And if what you predict here happens, fine. Does not change the fact that there are only 2 QBs under contract for next season. And since those 2 are the only names we actually know, my prediction as of today, is Howard then Mason.


    If the post about ARod above is true, I bet it will be Rodgers 1, Howard 2, Rudolph 3. But for now at least, it's just the 2 of them.
     
    Born2Steel, Jan 29, 2026 at 6:41 PM
    Born2Steel, Jan 29, 2026 at 6:41 PM
    #119
  20. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We want in so we can bark to go out again

    37,841
    13,196
    Oct 26, 2011
    And who is Donny Football and why are you posting him
     
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM
    #120
  21. jeh1856

    jeh1856 We want in so we can bark to go out again

    37,841
    13,196
    Oct 26, 2011
    Are you just posting anything you read
     
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:13 PM
    jeh1856, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:13 PM
    #121
  22. Steelvision

    Steelvision Well-Known Member

    2,110
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    Jun 28, 2022
    your two Qb scenario is not a realistic scenario. And even in some apocalyptic world it was, MR would very likely still start over a 6th rounder who has never played a down
     
    Steelvision, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:53 PM
    Steelvision, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:53 PM
    #122
  23. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

    47,190
    11,412
    Oct 16, 2011
    Not really, kind of expected it. McCarthy hasnt gotten to work with Will yet, he’ll put him through his QB school to have hm ready for 2027.

    Sitting for 2 years isnt the worst thing, Im just impatient.
     
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:59 PM
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 7:59 PM
    #123
  24. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

    47,190
    11,412
    Oct 16, 2011
    Yeah I didnt put much stock into the report, Im just feeling that Rodgers will probably come back for one more since MM is coach now and hes getting the gang back together again.
     
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:02 PM
    Blast Furnace, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:02 PM
    #124
  25. buzz998

    buzz998 Well-Known Member

    49
    15
    Dec 29, 2025
    it kills me. i don't really think anyone thinks howard is the savior. i think it is more that people just want to see if he is worth putting some time and effort into or if he should just be cut.

    i'm tired of the "he's a franchise QB" because no one knows, but i feel they want to see if he is another mason or something more or something less.

    i do know he wins. i like that and would love to see if it translates to the NFL.
     
    buzz998, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:12 PM
    buzz998, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:12 PM
    #125
Page 5 of 6

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