Reporter Confused By Pittsburgh’s Quarterback Plan: ‘Hamster Wheel’

Aditi Kinkhabwala is just as confused about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation as much of its fan base. She sees the franchise, even with all its offseason changes, running in place for another year.

Appearing on Jason La Canfora’s podcast for the BigPlay network, Kinkhabwala has trouble sussing out Pittsburgh’s plan.

“So Mike McCarthy’s opening press conference is raving about Will Howard,” she told La Canfora. “Even Aaron Rogers is raving about Will Howard. But nope, we’re not gonna see Will Howard.

“Drew Allar, they used a third-round pick on him. At the combine, Drew Allar told me that no coach put him on the board more extensively or more thoroughly than Mike McCarthy did. Clearly, McCarthy has had some interest in Drew Allar for some time. Is intrigued by this young player…so you’ve now got two young guys that you claim, you feel so strongly about their potential, but you don’t wanna see either of them.”

Aaron Rodgers’ return closed the door on any chance of Howard or Allar seeing immediate playing time this regular season. Now, it’ll take a Rodgers’ injury or total collapse of the year for either, more likely Howard, to see the field. Pittsburgh could go through most of the season learning little about Howard and Allar, leaving the franchise in the dark for its 2027 quarterback decisions.

Pittsburgh believes Rodgers gives the team the best chance to win now. But that may only get the Steelers so far.

“You’re gonna try to back in the playoffs once again, potentially lose in the first round, pick in the twenties and not get a quarterback, and not know if you have a quarterback in Will Howard or Drew Allar. Run it back. Treadmill, hamster wheel.”

A valid and real concern. Pittsburgh has a roster good enough to win 9 or 10 games, but few anticipate a deep playoff run. It could leave the Steelers as stuck and stagnant as they were during Mike Tomlin’s final seasons.

Pittsburgh hopes to learn plenty about Howard and Allar this season. Bringing Rodgers in may also be an admission that neither young quarterback is ready. Neither have taken an in-stadium snap and Allar’s game needs plenty of work, as his bumpy OTA play reminded. But to Kinkhabwala’s point, the 2026 season might not shed much light on Pittsburgh’s best options going forward, which could lead to an offseason with more questions than answers.