CBA rules complicate the Steelers' QB battle. Can Mike McCarthy navigate a crowded room, especially with a potential Aaron Rodgers return looming?
Last year, the Cleveland Browns were widely criticized for having four quarterbacks battle for position during OTAs and the start of training camp before trading Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders were on the roster with Deshaun Watson rehabbing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be looking at a similar scenario this year if Aaron Rodgers returns for 2026. He has yet to announce his intentions for the upcoming season.
The Steelers had second-year quarterback Will Howard and veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph on the roster before the draft. In Round 3, Pittsburgh took Drew Allar out of Penn State.
If Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, McCarthy is set to have a circus at the position.
During his news conference on Saturday, McCarthy said Collective Bargaining Agreement rules are an issue for the Steelers this offseason because they limit how he can coach and evaluate the three quarterbacks currently on his roster.
"CBA rules are the only challenge we have," McCarthy said in a joking manner, via ESPN. "But everybody coaches under 'em. It's a good place to be. I was very impressed with Will last week [at voluntary minicamp].
"I know he's a good athlete. ... But there's a training regimen that's involved, but we'll stick to it. And I'm excited about both those guys."
While McCarthy said it in a joking manner, there is truth to the jest. McCarthy will likely decide to move on from Howard or Rudolph if Rodgers decides he wants one more crack at it.
McCarthy sidestepped a question about Rudolph's future with the team, calling questions about what the team would do if Rodgers returned a hypothetical scenario.
"These are all questions, answers, hypotheticals that really, it won't change what I've already said," McCarthy said. "I will coach the hell out of that room. I have a lot of confidence.
"I have history and experience that I will give everything I can to any quarterback in that room. We want to grow the quarterback room. We don't want to just rely on one quarterback."
Eventually, the Steelers would like to get to a place where they can rely on one quarterback. Ideally, that would happen this year with Rodgers.
If Rodgers doesn't return, Pittsburgh needs to find a long-term solution. That would start with Howard or Allar.