The Pittsburgh Steelers have kicked off their summer with their voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) where the majority of the team starts getting their first work together heading into the upcoming season. There are always some absences, usually from veteran players, that give a varying level of concern for Steeler Nation as missing practice time with the team is never ideal. Whether it be contract related as it likely is with TJ Watt, or questions whether someone will even sign with the team (Aaron Rodgers basically counts as an absence as he has long been assumed to be the team's starting quarterback), there are always some questioning why they aren't there with the rest of their teammates.
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Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (#2) runs a drill and gets ready to throw a football during a 2022 team training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Absences by players certainly open up opportunities for others, as many players end up getting an increase in their practice reps or potentially higher quality reps with some starters. That particular situation is happening with Rodgers being absent, as Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson are splitting the reps with one less person.
In general, the news coming out of these early summer practices has been positive, as Rudolph has looked solid being the most proven of the group and Howard appears to be adjusting to the NFL practice pace nicely. However, that is far from an inditement on the long-term outlook for any of the group. Howard has been pegged by many, fans mostly, to be a dark horse candidate to develop into a franchise quarterback for the Steelers. However, that sentiment isn't necessarily being shared, publicly at least, from within the Steelers organization.
In his most recent chat, Gerry Dulac was asked how "future franchise QB Will Howard" has looked up to this point. Dulac didn't mince words when he made it clear that Steelers fans should pump the brakes on the franchise quarterback talk.
"Nobody other than the fans ever said he is the future franchise (QB)," said Dulac.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Steelers currently don't view Howard as a future franchise quarterback that can lead them for the next decade, as they waited until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select him. If they were that confident of his potential, or any organization across the NFL for that matter, he would have been selected much earlier in such a quarterback driven league.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard looking to throw the ball during practice.
Now, does that mean Howard becoming the guy for the Steelers is impossible? No, but it should encourage Steelers fans to temper their expectations for the rookie for the time being. Howard has shown that in college he was capable of performing at a high level and leading a team to the Promised Land as he did with The Ohio State Buckeyes this past season, but he has a lot of growth to do as a player to come close to replicating that success in the NFL.
Should Rodgers end up not signing with the Steelers and the team not look to add a veteran that is a proven starter, then Howard might see some playing time in 2025 that could go a long way in showing the organization and fans where he is as a player.
Steelers Might Need To Explore Trade Options If Aaron Rodgers Fails To Report
Currently, many believe that Rodgers is the Steelers' plan at quarterback for 2025, and it is likely that at some point this summer, he will sign with the team and report. However, how long do you let that play out before you consider changing direction? Eventually, there has to be a line drawn in the sand on the timeline for Rodgers joining the team, and if he doesn't report by then? A trade may become a possibility.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the field after the San Francisco 49ers game in Santa Clara, California, Sept. 9, 2024.
NFL insider Adam Schefter recently spoke on the situation, and he believed that if by mandatory minicamp Rodgers still wasn't in Pittsburgh, that the team would need to seriously consider other options, such as trading for Kirk Cousins. Considering every activity to this point has been optional, there hasn't been a ton of urgency seen by the Steelers to make a call like that, but once the entire team is reporting for mandatory practices, that tune could change quickly.
Do you think Howard could develop into a franchise quarterback? Let us know in the comments below!
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