Ben Roethlisberger warns Steelers against putting young QBs on waivers

August 25, 2026 - 23:51

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a clear message for the team's front office, and he directed it at offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy. Roethlisberger believes that if the Steelers try to stash either Will Howard or Drew Allar on the practice squad by exposing them to waivers, another team will snatch them up immediately.

Speaking on his podcast, Roethlisberger made his case plainly. He said that both young passers have shown enough in training camp and preseason action to warrant a roster spot, not just a developmental slot. He argued that the league is always hungry for quarterback talent, and a player with Howard's arm strength or Allar's mobility would not clear waivers untouched. In his view, the Steelers would be making a serious mistake if they assumed either player could be quietly moved to the practice squad without consequences.

Roethlisberger specifically called out McCarthy, who is now tasked with shaping the quarterback room. He warned that McCarthy's experience with veteran signal-callers does not mean he can afford to gamble on young prospects. The former Super Bowl winner pointed out that other teams watch the waiver wire closely, especially for quarterbacks with starting potential. He suggested that Pittsburgh should instead keep both players on the active roster, even if it means carrying three or four quarterbacks into the regular season.

The comments come as the Steelers evaluate their depth behind starter Russell Wilson. With Justin Fields also in the mix, the team faces a tough decision on how many arms to keep. Roethlisberger's warning adds pressure to that choice, as he insists that letting either Howard or Allar go would be a costly error that could haunt the franchise for years.