Eisen: Steelers Won't Bench Rodgers for Rookies

Preseason performances by Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar and second-year player Will Howard have generated excitement. Despite these impressive showings, veteran sports analyst Rich Eisen has dismissed any suggestions that these young quarterbacks will displace starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the current season.

Eisen stated on "The Rich Eisen Show" that the idea of benching Rodgers, who is 42 years old, due to potential performance dips or the rookies' readiness is "absurd." He believes the team will not remove Rodgers from his starting role.

However, Eisen acknowledged that the strong preseason debuts from Allar and Howard serve as a positive reflection on head coach Mike McCarthy's appointment. McCarthy, known for his history of quarterback development with previous teams, was hired to bring stability to the Steelers' quarterback position for the era following Rodgers.

Eisen noted that McCarthy appears adept at developing young quarterbacks, suggesting that both Allar and Howard demonstrated a clear understanding of the game. This capability is crucial for a franchise that has struggled to find consistent long-term solutions at quarterback since the departure of Ben Roethlisberger.

With the Steelers often selecting outside the top draft positions, McCarthy's ability to coach up mid-to-late-round draft picks like Allar and Howard provides Pittsburgh with a strategic plan for the future, extending beyond the 2027 season. For the immediate future, however, Aaron Rodgers remains in command of the Steelers' offense.