Barnwell’s rationale centers on Pittsburgh’s recent quarterback churn, noting six different starters over the past four seasons and flagging the limited track records of a sixth-round pick like Howard. McKee, who has two NFL starts in three seasons, has completed 61.4% of his passes with 6.8 yards per attempt, totaling five touchdowns to one interception across six appearances. Barnwell highlighted McKee’s strong 2025 preseason performance and suggested a scenario in which Rodgers, McKee, and Howard would form a three-quarterback mix, potentially with a short-term extension for McKee.
The proposal would require the Steelers to move on from Rudolph if Rodgers returned, a move some pundits view as less than ideal given the current roster. Steelers insiders expressed skepticism, noting it’s unlikely Pittsburgh would pursue an outside quarterback with limited NFL exposure while blocking Howard’s development. The discussion also touched on Barnwell’s earlier idea of trading Nick Herbig for McKee, a trade concept that drew sharp critiques before Barnwell adjusted the scenario to focus on draft picks.
Overall, Barnwell’s latest column keeps the Steelers in the center of quarterback speculation for 2026, though observers view the McKee trade path as intriguing but not highly probable given Pittsburgh’s existing quarterback depth and the complexity of balancing a stable roster. This summary reflects Heavy Sports’ reporting on the ongoing debate surrounding the Steelers’ quarterback strategy and potential moves ahead of 2026 NFL free agency.
