Steelers' Mike McCarthy Made Massive Statement To Art Rooney II About Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to verbally agree to hire Mike McCarthy to be their next head coach, a move that instantly sent shockwaves through the NFL. This is historic for the franchise, as the Steelers have now had only four head coaches since 1969, a remarkable testament to organizational stability. What's even more impressive is each of those four coaches has won at least one Super Bowl. Now McCarthy is tasked with continuing that legacy and trying to bring another Lombardi Trophy to the black and gold, a challenge that carries both prestige and pressure.

McCarthy is an intriguing hire because of his reputation as an offensive-minded coach with a championship résumé. His experience developing quarterbacks and designing productive offenses could provide a new identity for a team that has often struggled for consistency on that side of the ball in recent years. 

Still, not everyone is convinced this is the right move. Some critics question whether hiring a 62-year-old coach is the best long-term option for a franchise that may need a multi-year reset rather than a short-term boost.

Adding to the uncertainty is the Steelers’ unsettled quarterback situation. Will Howard, entering his second year, remains a question mark, and few truly believe that a sixth-round pick is the long-term answer for a storied franchise. However, the door is not completely closed. 

According to Steelers Team President Art Rooney II, McCarthy sees significant potential in Howard and believes he could develop into a starter at some point. It was revealed in an article for team's official website that the Steelers are betting on strong leadership, smart coaching, and patience could once again lead them back to championship contention.

"He likes Will Howard, thinks Will has tremendous upside and is looking forward to working with him," Rooney said. "Obviously feels like Mason can be a contributor."

Rooney also made it very clear that McCarthy genuinely likes what the Steelers already have at quarterback. He expressed confidence that McCarthy believes he can work with Howard and potentially have success with him, even if it still feels like a bit of a pipe dream to many outside the organization. While skepticism remains, the Steelers appear willing to give Howard a legitimate opportunity to develop under an experienced coach known for quarterback development.

Then there is the obvious connection between McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers, which has only added more intrigue to the situation. Rooney addressed that topic as well, acknowledging the history between the two but stopping short of suggesting anything concrete. Still, the mere possibility of a reunion has sparked speculation across the league and among fans.

"We'll have to sit down and discuss where Aaron is, if he decides to come back, and whether that all makes sense," Rooney said. "I think Mike was very comfortable with the quarterback room and the possibilities with the quarterback room. In particular, the fact we have a young quarterback on the roster in whom he sees some upside."

The interesting note in all of this is that Rooney doubled back and emphasized that he likes the young quarterback on the roster and sees real upside in his development. 

Steelers Appear Willing To Give Will Howard A Shot

Of course, 'upside' can be interpreted in different ways, and there are always nuances behind those comments, but the larger takeaway is clear: the Steelers appear willing to give Howard a legitimate opportunity. That willingness matters, especially for a franchise that has often prioritized stability and patience at the most important position on the field.

The Steelers do have Mason Rudolph as well, but many around the league feel they already know what he is at this point in his career: a capable backup who can step in but not a long-term answer. Most Steelers fans seem to agree that the team should see what it truly has in Howard this season, while also keeping an eye toward the future. 

Drafting a young quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft could ultimately be the best path forward, allowing the franchise to develop competition, protect itself long-term, and hopefully position itself for sustained success under McCarthy.

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