The Mike McCarthy era began tonight as the Steelers hosted the Packers in their first preseason game of 2026. It was an offseason of change for a typically stoic organization, which brought greater-than-usual excitement to Pittsburgh for the preseason opener.
As expected, Mason Rudolph got the start at QB and played a pair of series. After suffering 2 sacks in his first 3 passing plays, the veteran settled in, completing 9 of his next 10 passes for 86 yards. He led what would have been a scoring drive, but McCarthy elected to go for a touchdown on 4th & goal at the 3. The completion to Pat Freiermuth wasn’t enough, as the drive stalled at the 1.
Enter Will Howard. After a training camp injury landed him on injured reserve last season, this would be the 2024 College Football National Champions’ first NFL snaps. After a first down was earned, Howard was eventually sacked, thwarting his first NFL action to a 5-play, 11-yard drive.
Returning with 2:39 on the clock, it was a golden opportunity for Howard to work the 2-minute offense, and so he did.
After a few Lew Nichols runs and the two-minute warning, the training wheels came off. Howard hit Ben Skowronek for 17 yards, then Robert Tonyan for another 16. After a Packers timeout, he called on Tonyan again for a 15-yard gain. Then came the most impressive throw of the night from any Steelers QB
Rare pocket awareness, the step up, and conviction on a throw that required finesse. Howard hit Tonyan for what appeared to be a touchdown until review found him down at the 1-yard line. Lew Nichols finished off the drive he started by punching it in for the Steelers first score.
Howard would finish his night with an underwhelming drive to start the 3rd quarter, but he had already shown himself. As anticipated of a preseason debut any 6th-round pick has experienced in recent memory, it was a good one. It was an uphill climb for Howard to make the final roster, presumably as the 4th man in a room that holds 3, but he’s not going down easy, and I believe he has earned further opportunity to prove himself.
Drew Allar entered the game later than expected, with 4:21 remaining in the 3rd quarter. As the third team trotted onto the field, so did Kaleb Johnson, seeing his first and only drive of the night. Johnson got the call on a pair of carries for a pair of yards, resulting in a 3rd & 8 for the rookie QB to navigate. He found fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen across the middle in stride for a 74-yard catch-and-run down to the 3-yard line. After a near connection with Riley Nowakowski, Allar elected to take care of the scoring himself.
Drew Allar wasn’t nearly finished; he was just beginning. After a Packers punt, the 3rd-round rookie completed passes for 18, 9, 21, 5, 7, and 4 yards before capping the 6+ minute drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to old friend Kaden Wetjen.
Green Bay punted yet again, and Drew Allar orchestrated one more touchdown drive, this time coming back to Riley Nowakowski for a 4-yard score with 1:51 on the clock.
Pittsburghers are seemingly split on Drew Allar, especially with his Penn State ties, but none can deny his impressive first outing. The arm strength was on display, showing consistent zip and accuracy. He found the right receivers and moved around well when needed. It was a better showing than anyone will admit they expected.
For any preseason game standards, the QB play was impressive, but for their first preseason game? It was downright astonishing. Can it change? Certainly- will it? Probably. But the QB conversation has never been louder in Pittsburgh, and it’s taken a positive turn this week. Things could be looking up, if the Steelers’ 2026 preseason Week 1 game is any indication.
