After the Pittsburgh Steelers' former regime decided to select quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, there was plenty of discussion about what that meant for the future of the Steelers' quarterback position. Naturally, a sixth-round pick typically wouldn't generate that kind of discourse. That's what has made Howard such a polarizing prospect.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
For some reason, he has continued to receive not just hype but genuine belief from Steeler Nation. That's a strong level of confidence for a sixth-round pick, and history isn't exactly on Howard's side. He doesn't seem to care, and it sounds like new Head Coach Mike McCarthy doesn't care where Howard was selected either.
McCarthy even stated that he would have selected Howard earlier in the 2025 NFL Draft if he had been running the Steelers at the time. That's a significant statement, but many aren't sure whether he's simply trying to build Howard's confidence or if he truly believes in him.
According to Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh, speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday, Mason Rudolph's backup job could be in real danger because of Howard.
"Yeah, I think it kind of is," Farabaugh said. "Listen, if he has a showing this training camp and preseason that he is on a similar level to Mason Rudolph, he's going to win this job. Mason Rudolph is not a world-beating quarterback. He's not a top-five backup QB in the National Football League, in my opinion. He's a fine backup, but this is a very doable thing. Can Mason Rudolph get beaten out by Will Howard? It's not like you are going up against the best backup in the National Football League."
The Steelers drafted quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Allar's first year will likely be viewed as a redshirt season, meaning he is not expected to enter the season as the backup unless something truly unexpected happens.
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Steelers quarterback Drew Allar walks out on stage during the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
For Howard, this opportunity is his job to lose, according to Farabaugh.
"To me, if you look at Will Howard and you look at some of the things they have said about him, some of the things he showed in the spring, the accuracy outside of the numbers that they have really liked -- if he can show himself to be capable, absolutely, it's his job to lose, as long as he is showcasing he has taken the leap and has gotten to that next level in development," Farabaugh explained. "I think Will Howard is their backup."
Howard has generated far more hype than a traditional sixth-round pick ever would, and there's a reason for that. Players selected that late in the NFL Draft typically enter the league with little expectation, but Howard has quickly become one of the more intriguing young players in the Steelers' organization.
A lot of that comes from his mental makeup and the confidence he carries. His ability to believe in himself, embrace adversity, and handle difficult moments is something that cannot be taught.
Steelers Believe They Have Something Special In Will Howard
At least, that's the belief the Steelers organization appears to have in Howard. The team has consistently praised his development, his approach, and the traits he brings to the quarterback room. Whether Pittsburgh truly believes he has a legitimate future role or is simply trying to build confidence in a young player remains to be seen, but the message coming out of the building has been clear: they see something in Howard that goes beyond where he was drafted.
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Steelers' Will Howard throws a pass during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in 2026.
When the preseason finally kicks off, Steelers fans will get their first real opportunity to see what Howard can bring on the field. They didn't get that chance during his rookie season in 2025 after he suffered an unfortunate injury just before the preseason began. Now, with a full offseason of development behind him, fans are eager to finally see Howard in live game action and find out if the hype surrounding the sixth-round quarterback is justified.
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