Steelers reveal if Aaron Rodgers will play vs. Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers are once again bypassing Aaron Rodgers in the preseason. 

Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the Steelers will rest both Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph for Saturday's exhibition against the New York Jets, handing the reps to second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar.

Asked about his quarterback plan for the game, McCarthy said, "Yeah, we're gonna play the two young guys for the Jets game," he told reporters.

The coach rested the 10-time Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, where McCarthy trusted his younger signal-callers to secure a convincing 28-9 victory.

Allar, a third-round pick out of Penn State, went 10-of-13 for 153 yards and two touchdowns during the game, adding a rushing score.

Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick, finally earned his first live NFL reps, completing 7-of-9 passes for 86 yards while helping seal the win during a successful two-minute drill.

"Saw what I needed to see from Mason last week," McCarthy said, adding he's "talked highly about Mason really since the spring." With Rudolph's spot secure and Rodgers is the QB1,  neither veteran has to prove anything else this preseason.

That leaves the reps for Howard and Allar, who McCarthy said he wants to "max out" before roster cuts, adding, "I think you understand, they're young. Will didn't get to play last year. Drew's first-year player."

Rodgers, 42, is entering his 22nd NFL season on a one-year deal worth $22.5 million, with $22 million guaranteed. He has already called this his final year in the league.

Last season, the former Super Bowl champion overcame a late wrist injury to lead Pittsburgh to a 10-6 record as the starter, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Sitting him out allows coach Mike McCarthy to evaluate young quarterbacks Howard and Allar before making final roster cuts.

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