The Pittsburgh Steelers may have already made one of their toughest roster decisions.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Will Howard and Drew Allar are both expected to make Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster, even after rough outings in Friday night’s 17-0 preseason loss to the New York Jets.

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That’s a major development because it immediately creates another question:

What happens with Mason Rudolph?

Rudolph is still listed as the primary backup behind 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, and he’s easily the most experienced insurance policy Pittsburgh has at quarterback. But if Howard and Allar are both staying, the Steelers could be staring at the unusual possibility of carrying four quarterbacks.

That’s not exactly ideal roster math.

Howard started against the Jets and played the entire first half, completing 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards with two interceptions. Allar took over after halftime and finished 11 of 23 for 110 yards, while taking three sacks.

Neither performance screamed roster lock.

Apparently, it didn’t need to.

Dulac reported that Pittsburgh’s decision to keep both young quarterbacks was made before the game and wasn’t changed by what happened Friday night.

Howard certainly knew the turnovers hurt.

“Those two turnovers will really make it sour,” Howard said afterward. “If you don’t win the game and turn the ball over, that’s unacceptable.”

The interesting part is what Pittsburgh values here.

Howard and Allar are developmental investments. If the Steelers exposed either player to waivers, there’s no guarantee they’d make it back to the practice squad.

That makes keeping both understandable.

But Rudolph complicates everything.

The ninth-year veteran didn’t play against New York because the Steelers already know what they have in him. And with Rodgers at age 42, moving on from the only proven backup would be a significant gamble.

So Pittsburgh has a choice.

Carry four quarterbacks and sacrifice depth somewhere else.

Trade Rudolph if another team comes calling.

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Or make a more aggressive move involving one of the younger quarterbacks.

Whatever happens, this isn’t just a preseason depth-chart curiosity anymore.

The Steelers appear committed to Howard and Allar.

Now they have to figure out how to make the numbers work.