Steelers QB Will Howard Shows Rare Frustration While Speaking With Media

Pittsburgh Steelers fans make up, for better or worse, one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL when it comes to their perceived franchise players. In a shocking twist, sixth-round pick quarterback Will Howard from the 2025 NFL Draft has become one of the biggest discussion points surrounding the Steelers despite never even taking a preseason snap.

To be fair to the fan base, the excitement makes sense. Steelers fans have been starving for a playoff win after nearly a decade without one, and they are desperate to find the next possible face of the franchise at quarterback. The search for stability at the most important position in football has been ongoing, which is why every young quarterback prospect immediately becomes a major storyline in Pittsburgh.

Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy did not draft Howard, but he has made it clear that he likes what he has seen from the second-year signal-caller so far. Then there is Drew Allar, a quarterback McCarthy was around for the selection of in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Both players represent low-risk, high-upside options who could potentially become long-term answers if they continue developing under McCarthy’s quarterback-focused system.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday afternoon that he witnessed something from Howard for the first time since the young passer arrived in Pittsburgh. According to Kaboly, Howard showed a little frustration with the media after throwing an interception during a two-minute drill.

"A lot of the same things Drew Allar is doing, but maybe just a little different for him. He [Will Howard] got a little, ugh, I don't want to say short with the media, but a little testy," Kaboly said while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday evening. "The two-minute drill interception, he looked good up until he threw into triple coverage and it got intercepted. Somebody asked him about it. He was really short, like, 'It was a bad throw,' instead of elaborating like he would normally do. I won't hold anything against him there in that moment, but that was different than how he would have explained it last year."

While it was not a major concern, it was a noticeable change from the calm and detailed answers Steelers reporters have become accustomed to getting from him. The competition between Howard and Allar is going to continue creating headlines throughout the offseason. With Aaron Rodgers as the starter and Mason Rudolph pressuring Howard heading into 2026, the Steelers are, and should be, hyper-focused on developing the two young guys.

Steelers Are Hopeful Howard Will Be Ready Sooner Rather Than Later

However, if either Howard or Allar proves that they can become a reliable backup option, Rudolph could potentially become a trade piece down the road. Pittsburgh feels like it knows Rudolph’s ceiling, but the organization is still trying to discover just how high Howard and Allar can climb. That unknown is exactly what makes both quarterbacks so intriguing.

While Pittsburgh does not want to rush Howard's development, it seems like the Steelers are hopeful to see something from him sooner rather than later. Howard already missed valuable development time during the 2025 preseason, making this upcoming training camp and preseason even more important for his future.

A strong camp and preseason performance from Howard could help secure his spot as a legitimate backup quarterback candidate moving forward. However, a disappointing showing could make his path much more difficult, especially with another young quarterback in Allar also competing for opportunities within the organization.

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