The Mike McCarthy and Kevin Stefanski eras are set to begin Sunday in Pittsburgh when the Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback concerns abound for both squads.
The Steelers have a quarterback akin to taking out a library book; you only have access to it for a short time. In this case, it is Aaron Rodgers, a 42 year old signal caller who has already announced this is his last season. What the Steelers will do on the other side of their last year with Rodgers is up in the air.
They have four quarterbacks on their current roster, one more than is typical for an NFL team. The deep depth chart at quarterback is more evidence of the uncertainty at this position in Pittsburgh. Behind Rodgers is Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar. Rudolph is there to add veteran insurance if, and this is more a probability than possibility, when Rodgers gets hurt. While Howard was a sixth-round draft choice after leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a National Title, Allar is the more likely candidate to develop into the Steelers long-term quarterback choice.
The rookie out of Penn State is in a perfect spot to begin his NFL career while benefiting from the tutoring of his new head coach and not being pressed into duty too early. McCarthy is legendary for developing young quarterbacks, including Rodgers when they were both with the Green Bay Packers.
The quarterback situation in Atlanta is equally muddled. Two years ago, the Falcons tried to solve their quarterback problem twice within weeks, and the moves apparently worked against each other. First, on March 13, 2024, the Falcons backed the Brinks truck up to Kirk Cousins' doorstep and signed him as a free agent for $180 million. Then, the following month, the Falcons spent their first-round draft choice, eighth overall, to acquire Washington Huskies Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
The move reportedly soured the relationship almost before it began with Cousins and the Falcons. The NFL veteran thought his free agent signing was an indicator that Atlanta was making a full commitment to him being their answer at quarterback for seasons to come. Instead, a month after signing him, Atlanta chose a quarterback high in the draft which was obviously a sign that Penix was their guy for the long haul.