McCarthy Retains Four Steelers Quarterbacks After 28-27 Loss to Bills

Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed all four Steelers quarterbacks earned roster spots following a 28-27 preseason finale loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Pittsburgh Steelers concluded their preseason with a 28-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park, N.Y., on Thursday night. Following the one-point defeat, head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that all four Steelers quarterbacks currently on the depth chart have earned positions on the roster. McCarthy, who is entering his 18th year as a head coach, noted that while he has never previously kept four passers for Week 1, he described the evaluation that all four deserved spots as very accurate. The group features two established veterans, starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph, alongside second-year player Will Howard and rookie third-round selection Drew Allar.

Howard and Allar Statistical Breakdown

Will Howard started his second consecutive preseason game on Thursday, completing 9 of 15 pass attempts for 69 yards. He threw two touchdown passes but also recorded one interception and was sacked three times. Howard’s first scoring play was a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Germie Bernard, who broke through contact to reach the end zone. Later in the first half, Howard connected with tight end Lake McCree for a 5-yard touchdown. During the second half, Howard was evaluated for a head injury and was unavailable for post-game media comments while remaining under medical observation.

Drew Allar replaced Howard at the halftime interval, mirroring the rotation used in the team's second preseason contest. Allar finished the night 9-of-18 for 88 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Unlike Howard, the rookie was not sacked during his time on the field. After Buffalo erased a deficit to take a 28-27 lead with one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Allar led the two-minute offense. He completed his opening pass to Cornell Powell, but the drive stalled after three consecutive incompletions, including a final unsuccessful heave on 4th-and-7.

Veteran Absences and Roster Strategy

While Mason Rudolph suited up on the sideline for the finale, Aaron Rodgers did not travel to Buffalo. Rodgers was part of a group of notable veterans who remained home to focus on rehab and sports science-led training programs. This list of absent players included T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Michael Pittman Jr., and DK Metcalf. McCarthy explained that players who were not scheduled to play in the game stayed behind to work with trainers if they could benefit more from a rehab workout than the trip itself.

Development and Mentorship Dynamics

Reflecting on the final drive, Allar described the two-minute situation as a valuable learning experience for understanding how to handle specific late-game pressures. The rookie credited the mentorship of Rodgers and Rudolph for aiding his development throughout the preseason schedule. McCarthy reiterated his confidence in the room's composition, stating the team possesses two veterans capable of winning immediately and two young players representing the organization's future. The coach emphasized that the performance of the unit on the field has consistently supported his decision to maintain the expanded quarterback room heading into the regular season.