Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard each made their NFL regular-season debuts Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers, delivering performances that drew praise from head coach Mike McCarthy and intensified competition for roster spots.
Allar, the only rookie quarterback on the Steelers roster, and Howard, who missed the entire 2025 preseason after breaking his hand and never appeared in a game following his activation from injured reserve, both saw significant action in the contest. The game marked the first NFL appearance for each player.
Howard entered the game after Mason Rudolph and completed 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards. He appeared to throw a touchdown pass to tight end Robert Tonyan, but officials ruled Tonyan down one yard short of the end zone. The Steelers subsequently scored on the drive.
Allar, a third-round draft pick, made an immediate impact. His first career pass went to wide receiver Kaden Wetjen for a 74-yard gain that set up an Allar rushing touchdown. The rookie finished 10 of 13 for 153 yards with two total touchdowns while directing an offense that scored three times during his time on the field.
McCarthy commended the collective performance of his quarterback room after the game. “I like the way our quarterbacks ran the offense and that’s the big thing. I thought they were very poised,” McCarthy said. “I liked the way all three of them played, especially our young guys. I liked the way Will responded. He did a good job overcoming some long down-and-distances, and I thought his two-minute drill was outstanding. And I thought Drew played very, very well.”
The coach characterized the evening as “a good start” for the organization. He indicated that similar performances over the coming weeks will create difficult decisions regarding the final 53-man roster in Pittsburgh.
The outing provided the clearest look yet at the Steelers’ quarterback depth behind Rudolph. Howard’s efficiency in limited action and Allar’s explosive debut, highlighted by the 74-yard completion on his first snap, gave the coaching staff tangible data to evaluate as roster cutdown deadlines approach.
Both quarterbacks demonstrated command of the offense and composure under game conditions, qualities McCarthy specifically cited. Howard’s ability to convert difficult third-down situations and execute a two-minute drill addressed concerns about his lack of recent game action. Allar’s accuracy and playmaking ability validated the investment of a third-round selection.
The performances leave Pittsburgh with three quarterbacks who have shown they can operate the system effectively. Rudolph’s veteran presence, combined with the upside displayed by Howard and Allar, creates a scenario where the Steelers may attempt to carry multiple developmental quarterbacks through waivers or practice squad assignments.
McCarthy’s public endorsement of both young players signals they have met initial benchmarks. The next phase of evaluation will focus on consistency across multiple games and weeks of practice, with roster implications extending beyond the quarterback position as the team balances developmental needs against immediate competitive demands.
