The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation is going to be talked about up until the ball is kicked off in Week 1. The fan base is on edge as it waits for Aaron Rodgers to sign as the two sides have had clear interest since the first week of free agency. However, retirement is still on the table for Rodgers, and other quarterback jobs could open up if any injuries occur around the league during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), minicamp, or training camp. It is no guarantee that Rodgers will end up in the black and gold, which creates a ton of curiosity in Pittsburgh.
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Aaron Rodgers warms up before the New York Jets' preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rodgers is arguably Pittsburgh's best option at quarterback heading into the season, barring some unforeseen move. If he doesn't sign, most fans would want to move forward with Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback and rookie Will Howard as the backup. It is hard to rely on that situation for an entire season, but it is likely better than possibly trading for a guy like Kirk Cousins, who was benched late in the 2024 season. Due to the uncertainty at quarterback overall, some fans are hopeful that Howard could end up taking some snaps in 2025.
Insider Ray Fittipaldo doesn't view that as a possibility, which he made clear during an appearance on Rothman & Ice 97.1 The Fan.
"I think the Steelers are going to be cautious here," Fittipaldo said. "He's a sixth-round pick. Even if Mason Rudolph is the guy, eventually Will Howard might end up being the number two as a rookie, but they're not gonna force feed him. They're not gonna throw a sixth-round pick into the mix as a rookie unless something really strange happens with injury."
If Rudolph begins the season as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh, it is hard to believe that he will be able to make it through all 17 games without being benched or replaced. Skylar Thompson, who is also on the roster, is not a strong option, which has been shown by the extremely questionable play he had with the Miami Dolphins in 2024. Essentially, Howard might have to play at some point if Rodgers doesn't sign, but the organization is going to do everything possible to keep that from happening.
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Steelers' Will Howard drops back during his rookie minicamp in 2025.
Howard might be a sixth-round pick, but it is impossible not to like everything about him. He is coming off of a season where he won the National Championship after battling through a 12-team playoff, and his size and mobility are ideal as a modern day NFL quarterback. Fittipaldo continued to speak about Howard, noting that the organization really likes the young quarterback.
"People in that building like him," Fittipaldo said. "They like that he's a winner. They like his skill set. They like the fact that he can run, that he's a good leader. All those intangibles are good qualities, but I don't get the sense right now that even if Aaron Rodgers isn't here, that Howard is gonna have a big role on this football team."
Pittsburgh enjoys Howard's football pedigree, and the physical attributes are undeniable. The insider doesn't believe that Howard will see a large role even with Rodgers not in town, which shows how motivated the organization is to keep the 2025 season a developmental year for Howard.
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Steelers' Will Howard throws the football during the College Football Playoff.
Steelers Need To Prioritize Will Howard's Development
If the franchise has no desire to play Howard during the 2025 season, then it needs to make sure that the proper steps are taken to prioritize his development. This includes making sure he is getting plenty of reps in practice. That would probably mean that he needs to be the second quarterback on the depth chart, which could end up in him seeing the field at some point. The organization needs to be dedicated to developing Howard, or else the quarterback situation will just get worse in Pittsburgh.
What do you think of Fittipaldo's comments on Howard? Do you think he will see the field in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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