NFL Teams Opt to Keep Four Quarterbacks on Roster

This NFL season, five teams have made the unusual decision to keep four quarterbacks on their rosters, a move not seen since 2024. This choice raises questions about roster depth and the strategic reasoning behind it.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, for instance, have retained Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, with Rodgers as the starter and Rudolph as the primary backup. The team aims to develop Howard and Allar, both of whom showed promise during the preseason.

Similarly, the Philadelphia Eagles have kept Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee, and Cole Payton, with Hurts as the starter. The Eagles' strategy appears to focus on future value, hoping to attract interest for McKee or Payton later in the season. Other teams, like the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, have also opted for four quarterbacks, albeit under different circumstances, reflecting the diverse approaches teams are taking in managing their quarterback depth.