Steelers' Secret Agenda At QB Isn't Being Covered Up: "That's Just A Smokescreen"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the many teams in the NFL with major questions at the quarterback position. The organization is waiting for a decision from four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers on whether or not he wants to continue his playing career, while Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are currently the only two quarterbacks under contract for the 2026 season. The organization is going to add at least one more quarterback, probably two as the franchise typically carries four going into training camp. One could be Rodgers, but there doesn't seem to be anymore clarity on what he plans to do.

If Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, there is no question that he will be the starting quarterback, and he will also be counted on to mentor Howard. That is something the veteran quarterback seemed to take some pride in during his lone season in Pittsburgh in 2025. There is a lot of belief in Howard, despite the fact that he has not taken a professional snap yet in a real game. Some believe that the excitement surrounding Howard from the organization is all a smokescreen as the franchise will possibly draft a quarterback net month, but beat-writer Mark Kaboly shut that notion down during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning.

"We see what Plan B is," Kaboly said. "I mean they say his name every single time. It's going to be Will Howard with every opportunity they can potentially give him. Some people are saying that's just a smokescreen, I don't think it is. I think they've got some really, really high marks on him and be that guy that McCarthy can mold."

Kaboly referenced a report from Mike Florio, who suggested that the Steelers were propping up Howard to throw other quarterback-needy teams off the scent of the franchise selecting a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kaboly believes the excitement from the organization surrounding Howard is absolutely real, which is something the fan base could certainly get behind.

The excitement surrounding Howard is understandable. He won a National Championship at the college level for one of the most popular teams in the nation at Ohio State, and he has all of the raw tools that a team might want in a quarterback. His stature is strong, and he is mobile enough to extend plays and make things happen. There were questions surrounding his arm strength and accuracy coming into the league, but hopefully that part of his game has developed over the past year.

If Rodgers comes back, and that seems to be a likely possibility, none of the excitement around Howard will matter in 2026. He would still hopefully leapfrog Rudolph on the depth chart and be the top backup, but another year learning from Rodgers could be beneficial to the young quarterback and the organization in the long run.

Steelers Fans Want Will Howard To Get His Shot

A large portion of Pittsburgh fans want to see Howard start in 2026. There is a lot of curiosity behind the quarterback, and the belief is that Howard starting for a season is a win-win for the franchise. If he does start and plays well, then maybe the organization has found a franchise quarterback that can lead Pittsburgh back to the top of the mountain. If he's underwhelming, the organization knows the quarterback search must continue. Him playing badly would also probably mean a decent amount of losses, which would increase the value of each of Pittsburgh's own draft picks in 2027. That could help when it comes to finding a quarterback.

It is still a longshot that Howard will turn into a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, but it is clear that the Steelers have a ton of belief in him. Working with a quarterback guru like Mike McCarthy could turn him into a solid player.

What do you think about Kaboly's comments on Howard? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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