Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Hears Crazy Will Howard Prediction That Turns Heads

The Pittsburgh Steelers know exactly who their starting quarterback will be when the 2026 season kicks off. Aaron Rodgers is set to lead Pittsburgh into a new era under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, but everyone inside the organization also understands the clock is ticking.

Rodgers has already made it clear that 2026 will be the final season of his NFL career, making this a unique one-year window for the future Hall of Famer. While the Steelers are focused on maximizing their championship hopes with Rodgers under center, the franchise must also begin preparing for life after him. That makes every decision surrounding the quarterback room this season even more significant.

Behind Rodgers, Pittsburgh has veteran Mason Rudolph as an experienced backup, but few expect him to be viewed as the long-term answer. Instead, much of the intrigue surrounds the team's younger quarterbacks. Will Howard and Drew Allar both offer intriguing upside as developmental prospects, giving McCarthy and General Manager Omar Khan potential options to groom for the future if either player takes a significant step forward.

That future may arrive sooner than many expect, at least according to one prominent NFL analyst. Speaking on an ESPN podcast, Mina Kimes pointed to a brutal stretch of the Steelers' schedule in Weeks 11 through 13 as a potential turning point. Kimes suggested that if Rodgers struggles or the physical toll of the season begins to show during that difficult run, it could create an unexpected opportunity for Howard to see meaningful playing time in 2026. 

"My prediction is in December, maybe around Thanksgiving, we're going to hear this in the stands: 'Howard! Howard! Howard!'" Kimes said. "The Steelers, from November to December, go Eagles, Broncos, Texans. I think that is when Rodgers, maybe Rodgers doesn't even make it, but I think the fans are going to be very unhappy with the offensive output in those few games."

After Kimes made the prediction, her counterpart on the show, Bill Barnwell, expressed surprise that she was seemingly bypassing Allar in favor of Howard. 

However, Kimes went on to explain the reasoning behind her stance.

"You know, this is based on me doing a live podcast in Pittsburgh, and we surveyed the crowd, and they were all begging for Will Howard," Kimes said.

Of course, the natural reaction from Steeler Nation is to laugh off Kimes' prediction. The idea of Rodgers actually getting benched in favor of Howard feels incredibly un-Steeler-like and completely out of left field. However, this is also a new era in Pittsburgh. Under the previous regime, a prediction like this would have seemed almost impossible. Now, with McCarthy leading the team into a new chapter, it has at least sparked an interesting conversation.

Steelers Fans Divided Over Mina Kimes' Hot Take

For a scenario like Kimes described to actually play out, a lot would have to go wrong. Rodgers would need to struggle significantly and show that he is no longer capable of effectively managing the offense. Something that doesn't appear likely heading into the season, but the result of the 24-point home playoff loss could be pointed to here. Barring injury or a complete collapse, Pittsburgh signed Rodgers with the expectation that he will be the unquestioned starter throughout his final NFL campaign.

Still, it's an eye-opening prediction and one that has already divided Steelers fans. Some would welcome the opportunity to see Howard sooner rather than later, while others view the suggestion as completely absurd. One thing is certain: it won't take long for the 2026 season to begin answering these questions and revealing whether Kimes' bold prediction has any chance of becoming reality.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I’m always open to hearing different perspectives, breaking down games, and talking all things Pittsburgh football. 

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