Steelers' Will Howard Explains Mike McCarthy's Secret Method To Developing A Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a somewhat talented roster, and the biggest issue with the team is and has been the quarterback position. The organization did not have a proper succession plan for when Ben Roethlisberger retired, and the franchise has been scraping things together at the position ever since. Aaron Rodgers gave the team the best quarterback play it has had while starting during the 2025 NFL season, and it is likely that he will be returning once again in 2026. However, Pittsburgh also has some developmental projects in the quarterback room that could be beneficial to the organization in the future.

Will Howard was a sixth-round pick by the Steelers in 2025, and the franchise then drafted Drew Allar in the third round in 2026. Both are viewed as developmental projects, and Rodgers has been great in accepting his role as a mentor. At least that was the case during the 2025 season with Howard. Another quarterback mentor will be entering the fold in new Head Coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is well-regarded as a quarterback guru, and he has worked with some of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Howard joined The Christian Kuntz Podcast for a recent episode, and he explained how McCarthy has already been helpful to his development.

"Hate to see Mike T go, that was my guy, he drafted me, I owe a lot to that guy," Howard said. "But if it was going to be anyone, I'm so glad it was Coach McCarthy. You want to talk about a QB guru. I mean, he's showing me clips of Joe Montana back in '93. Rich Gannon. All those guys. We're watching clips from the 1993 AFC Championship Game, installing some stuff. Like it's vintage. It's OG. He's a football guy man. I've already learned a ton from him. His footwork nuances that he already has implemented for me and for Mason, for everyone, it's already helped me a lot."

McCarthy gets a ton of praise for his history with the quarterback position. He worked with Joe Montana during the final two seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also gets credit for helping Aaron Brooks reach his full potential with the New Orleans Saints. In his first head coaching opportunity, he worked with Brett Favre while developing Rodgers, and he also helped Dak Prescott improve his game during his time with the Dallas Cowboys.

It seems like McCarthy has no limits when it comes to coaching quarterbacks. He was coaching Howard based off of tape from 1993, and even installing some offensive schemes and checks that were used during the 1993 AFC Championship Game, which he coached in as his Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills. Howard noted that this has been helping him tremendously.

"Me being a young guy, I'm kind of still trying to figure out my identity in this thing," Howard said. "You know, who I'm going to be. He's really kind of shaping that, and shaping who I am as a player."

This is a ton of high praise as the two have not been around each other a ton. Phase One of offseason workouts has occurred, as has a voluntary veteran minicamp that teams with a new head coach are allowed to put on. Outside of those two instances, there hasn't been a ton of time for these two to get acquainted. 

Steelers' Will Howard Is Set Up To Make A Ton Of Progress In 2026

Sitting another year behind Rodgers while learning from McCarthy is going to set both Howard and Allar up to make a ton of progress. Their development should be expedited, which will hopefully help the offense and the franchise once Rodgers decides to end his playing career, which could and should be after the 2026 season. Of course, that's if he ends up signing.

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

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