Steelers' Hopeful Could Push Rookie Off Final Roster Heading Into 2025 NFL Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their first preseason game of the 2025 NFL season on Saturday as the team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars by a score of 31-25. The offense for the Steelers looked good throughout the game, with both Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson playing quarterback for the majority of the contest. Rudolph was flawless on his first drive, as he found Darnell Washington for a score. Thompson then entered the game in the second quarter and fired three touchdown passes while leading Pittsburgh to a win.

Going into offseason programs and training camp, Thompson was certainly a long shot to make the final roster. He was the fourth quarterback on the team behind Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph, and rookie Will Howard. Pittsburgh will likely keep three quarterbacks on the roster as one will be the emergency quarterback every week. Rudolph will be the primary backup, with Howard filling in that emergency quarterback role, but Thompson looked impressive during his first performance in the black and gold.

Fans will have to wait to see Howard under center as he hurt himself during practice on a quarterback-center exchange, and he broke a bone in his right hand. He is expected to miss the entirety of the preseason, but there is a chance he could get back on the field during practices, while maybe even appearing in the final preseason contest. If that injury worsens, or Thompson continues to light it up, Howard might begin to feel some pressure to make the final roster.

If Howard isn't on the final 53-man roster, it doesn't mean he wouldn't be a part of the organization. He could be on the practice squad, or the more likely outcome would be him being placed on season-ending injured reserve. This would keep him a part of the organization, while also allowing him to continue to develop within the offensive system that is being run in Pittsburgh.

The idea of Howard not being on the final roster is a little unrealistic, but it is worth noting that it is a possibility. The organization drafted him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and with how desperate the franchise has been for a quarterback of the future, it would be a bit ridiculous to not have him active throughout the year.

This is just one performance from Thompson where he managed to throw three touchdowns while completing 20 of his 28 passes for 233 yards. He also had two passes that probably could have been intercepted, but were not. Those two plays sum up his career a bit better than the rest of his performance on Saturday, so it is safe to say this performance was an outlier compared to what else he has put on tape.

Steelers Could Keep Four Quarterbacks Going Into The 2025 NFL Season

Most teams do not keep four quarterbacks on the final roster, but it is something the Steelers can consider doing if Thompson continues to impress. He will need to play the same way throughout the rest of the preseason while also stacking great days of practice if he wants to have any chance, which is something the experienced quarterback could certainly do.

Another option for the Steelers, and the more likely one, would be to have Thompson begin the season on the practice squad. This will allow him to still be signed by quarterback-needy teams around the league, while keeping him available to the Steelers if any injuries happen at the position. It is far too unrealistic to imagine Pittsburgh putting Howard on IR for a small hand injury, especially ahead of a season where he could really develop while learning behind Rodgers and Rudolph.

What did you think about Thompson's performance on Saturday night? Is there any chance he makes the roster? Let us know in the comments below!

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