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Steelers could uncover an unexpected QB answer if Rudolph and Howard struggle

There is a unique way for the team to keep 4 QBs.
Jack Plummer QB Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Jack Plummer QB Carolina Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate a developing quarterback controversy, they still have time to let the situation unfold. The team currently has four quarterbacks on the roster, but it seems unlikely that all of them will make the final 53-man roster when decisions are due. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Allar appear to have their spots secured, leaving Will Howard and Mason Rudolph competing for a role.

Competition often brings out the best in players, and the Steelers will need to evaluate how Mason Rudolph and Will Howard respond to that challenge.

The case for keeping Rudolph centers on his experience and the veteran presence he provides in the locker room. On the other hand, Howard has generated significant buzz around Pittsburgh in recent weeks, and the organization must determine whether he can develop into a long-term option.

Depending on how the situation unfolds, if either Rudolph or Howard is released and claimed by another team, the Steelers may need to explore additional quarterback options.

One possibility could be adding a standout signal-caller from the UFL to the practice squad to provide depth this season. Among those options, Jack Plummer stands out as one of the top quarterbacks in the United Football League and could draw interest from Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers could sign UFL QB Jack Plummer to replace Mason Rudolph or Will Howard

In an ideal scenario, the Steelers would be able to release either Mason Rudolph or Will Howard and have that player return on the practice squad. However, that approach carries risk, as any practice squad player can be signed to an active roster at any time. Rudolph would likely be the more probable candidate for that outcome given his experience, but it remains an unlikely outcome.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has been vocal about keeping as many quarterbacks on the roster as possible moving forward.

That creates an interesting dynamic, especially with Jack Plummer emerging as a potential fallback option for the Steelers. He is currently dominating in the UFL and has earned another opportunity in the NFL. If he needs to wait for that chance, Pittsburgh could present an ideal landing spot.

No, Plummer should not be viewed as a favorite to overtake Will Howard or Mason Rudolph for the backup quarterback role in Pittsburgh, but he could still be a strong addition to the practice squad.

The UFL standout is likely to draw interest from multiple teams, yet if he is unable to secure a permanent roster spot, he could become a reliable depth option later in the process. In that sense, Plummer could emerge as a valuable last-minute addition for the Steelers' practice squad.

For those curious, Plummer put together an impressive season in the United Football League. He threw for 2,188 yards, recorded 17 passing touchdowns, and had just one interception across ten regular-season games.

The level of competition in the UFL does not match the NFL, but Plummer demonstrated that he can be both efficient and effective. That production could make him an intriguing option as a fourth quarterback for the Steelers.

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