The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the 2026 preseason with a statement, defeating the Green Bay Packers 28-9 at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night. While the final score was impressive, the biggest takeaway came from the performance of Pittsburgh’s young quarterbacks, Drew Allar and Will Howard.
With Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ veteran presence taking a back seat to the younger quarterbacks, the spotlight was firmly on Allar and Howard. Both players gave Pittsburgh plenty to be excited about as the team begins evaluating its quarterback room for the future.
Allar Steals the Show
Drew Allar looked every bit like a quarterback Pittsburgh could develop into a legitimate starter down the road.
The rookie finished the night 10-of-13 passing for 153 yards, while adding three total touchdowns two through the air and another on the ground. His ability to make plays both from the pocket and with his legs immediately stood out.
One of Allar’s biggest plays came on a deep connection with Kaden Wetjen. The 75-yard play helped set up Allar’s rushing touchdown and gave the Steelers’ offense a much-needed spark. Later, Allar added touchdown passes to Wetjen and Riley Nowakowski, showing impressive chemistry with Pittsburgh’s young skill players.
For a quarterback making his first NFL preseason appearance, Allar displayed poise beyond his experience. He didn’t look overwhelmed by the speed of the game, and his willingness to push the ball downfield gave the Steelers offense an explosive element.
Howard Strikes First
Will Howard’s night wasn’t quite as explosive, but it was still an encouraging performance.
Howard finished 7-of-9 passing for 86 yards and helped Pittsburgh put together a touchdown drive during the two minute drill. After a slower start, Howard settled down and showed the accuracy and command that have made him an intriguing part of the Steelers’ quarterback picture.
That late drive was particularly important for Howard. Rather than allowing a quiet start to define his night, he responded with a sharp sequence that ended in points and gave the coaching staff another positive takeaway.
Howard entered the preseason with plenty to prove. He is not only competing with Allar for future opportunities, but also has to establish himself as a viable option behind Rodgers and compete with Mason Rudolph for a roster spot.
A Perfect Start for Pittsburgh’s Young Quarterbacks
The most encouraging part of Thursday night may have been that Pittsburgh didn’t need to choose between its two young quarterbacks.
Allar provided the explosive plays and the biggest statistical performance, while Howard showed resilience and efficiency. Both gave head coach Mike McCarthy something positive to build on.
The Steelers still have plenty to clean up. Pittsburgh was flagged 11 times for 143 yards, a number that will have to come down as the team moves closer to the regular season. But despite the penalties, the offense found a rhythm and the defense helped turn the game into a comfortable victory.
For Allar, this was the kind of debut that gets fans dreaming about the future. For Howard, it was an important reminder that he belongs in the conversation.
The Steelers may have entered Thursday night simply looking for their first preseason reps. They left with something much more valuable: legitimate excitement surrounding their next generation of quarterbacks.
And if Allar and Howard continue to develop at this pace, Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation could become one of the most interesting storylines in the organization over the next few seasons.