Steelers May Have Secret Reasoning For Not Placing Will Howard On IR After Initial 53-Man Roster Reveal

The Pittsburgh Steelers were always expected to select a quarterback at some point during the 2025 NFL Draft, but it was a welcomed surprise when Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard fell to the sixth round. While it can easily be argued that the long-term answer does not currently sit on the roster, the rookie excited fans during the early portions of training camp. Unfortunately, he broke one of his fingers and has not seen much practice time since. Additionally, he did not play in a single preseason game, which was arguably the only chance he had to make an impression in 2025.

It didn't help Howard's case when Skylar Thompson went on to play phenomenally in the exhibition contests. The Steelers could have used Thompson as trade bait, but he ended up landing on the team's initial 53-man roster, as it was announced on Tuesday which players made the cut. It was possible that Howard could land on Injured Reserve (IR) even if his finger was fully healed, because he could have been designated to return at a later date.

It was reported by Gerry Dulac that Pittsburgh does indeed plan on placing Howard on IR at some point, but it was interesting that it didn't happen on Tuesday. If the rookie signal-caller is eventually put on the shelf, it will open up a spot on the roster. Oftentimes when there is a move that a team is going to make, it holds onto a corresponding move that will free up some space.

This is why it it's completely possible that General Manager Omar Khan is still working the phones in the hopes of adding to the receiving corps. DK Metcalf is the only true top option for Pittsburgh in the passing game, and players like Jakobi Meyers are still maybe available via the trade market. Time will tell, but keeping Howard on the initial 53-man roster may simply be a way to have an easy corresponding move if a trade comes around, especially if Dulac's reporting is true.

Each NFL team (prior to roster cuts) is allowed to place two players on IR that can be designated to return. In 2025, the Steelers only used one of those slots (with cornerback Cory Trice Jr.). 

It may seem silly to keep Howard off if the plan is to keep him out at least four games regardless, but one of Pittsburgh's players that was cut would have been booted anyway, so it signals that Khan may be close to pulling the trigger on a deal, which would lead to Howard's IR placement being a corresponding move.

With the regular season right around the corner, the Steelers are certainly hoping that a busy offseason pays off. It will be crucial for the offense to get off to a hot start, but it's fair for fans to be worried about the current receiving corps. Calvin Austin III has dealt with an injury that is still being worked through, and Roman Wilson is a bit of a question mark in the grand scheme of things. Pittsburgh could also be in the market for a safety.

Regardless, Khan could be on the phone ready to bring in another contributor. The reason Tuesday's cutdowns are related to an "initial" 53-man roster, is because they often change very quickly, and Howard going to IR soon, but not quite yet, could have been a strategic way to keep four quarterbacks around, but allow flexibility on the backend.

Steelers Could Have Simply Just Placed Will Howard On IR With Open Spot

It remains a mystery as to why Pittsburgh would hold onto four quarterbacks, when there was a designated to return spot available on IR. There is likely a plan in place, but the organization clearly didn't want to hold onto any of the players that were cut. It could be a move that shouldn't be analyzed, but it also could mean that a big deal is lurking, and Howard to IR is a quick fix to open up a spot on the roster.

Do you think that the Steelers and Khan are up to something after the initial 53-man roster was announced? Let us know in the comments below!

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