Steelers’ Will Howard Draws Unfortunate Kenny Pickett Comparison Amid Interesting Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to determine whether Will Howard can become more than an intriguing developmental quarterback. His first full preseason should finally give them live evidence, but the early camp picture remains uneven. Howard has produced several impressive throws without proving he can repeat them consistently, leaving the same arm-strength debate that followed him into the NFL unresolved.

Howard’s strongest moments are easy to notice. He has enough size to see from the pocket, can move when protection breaks down and has shown the confidence to attack tight windows. When his lower body is organized and the read is clear, the football arrives with enough pace to complete difficult throws.

The problem is what happens from one rep to the next. A quarterback competing for a meaningful role cannot survive on a handful of clean passes during practice. Pittsburgh needs to see stable mechanics, accurate placement and sound decisions throughout an entire period, then watch those traits carry into preseason games.

Jim Wexell discussed Howard’s early work during a recent training camp assessment. Wexell said the second-year quarterback has delivered some beautiful throws, but he remains inconsistent enough to keep evaluators from drawing a firm conclusion.

“The arm is good enough, just as Kenny Pickett’s arm was good enough,” Wexell said. “It’s not bad. It might not be weaker than Mason’s.”

The Pickett comparison is not necessarily a prediction that Howard will follow the same career path. It places his physical ability in a more practical category. Howard may not possess the effortless velocity of the league’s strongest passers, but Wexell believes he has enough arm talent to execute an NFL offense.

“Good enough” still leaves little room for sloppy timing. Quarterbacks with elite arms can occasionally recover after seeing a route late or throwing without a clean base. Howard has to make the correct decision on time because delayed throws give defenders a chance to close windows that were briefly available.

Pittsburgh knew that question existed when it selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His leadership, mobility and championship season with the Ohio State Buckeyes made him an appealing developmental pick, but evaluators questioned whether his velocity would hold up when he needed to drive the ball outside the numbers or through tight coverage.

Howard has spent the offseason working directly on the issue. He previously explained that the new staff wants him to keep his cleats in the ground and use his entire body more effectively. Pittsburgh’s previous arm-strength concern is not something the quarterback has ignored. He believes better mechanics can help him access more of the strength he already has.

Mike McCarthy has made the footwork unusually specific. Howard said every step in his drop has a name, forcing him to understand where his feet should be when each route reaches its break. The detail should help him create more consistent velocity without trying to manufacture power through his arm alone.

The approach fits Howard because his best throws often come when the play remains on schedule. A clean drop allows him to reach the top with balance, identify the correct target and deliver before the coverage can tighten. When his feet become rushed or disconnected, the accuracy and pace can change quickly.

Howard also has to separate himself from Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar. Rudolph owns the experience advantage and has already won games for Pittsburgh. Allar entered as a third-round pick with the strongest pure arm among the younger quarterbacks. Howard’s path depends on proving he offers enough physical ability while making fewer mistakes than the competition.

The lost rookie preseason makes the current evaluation more difficult. A hand injury removed Howard from every exhibition game in 2025 and delayed his return until the regular season was underway. Pittsburgh saw him in practice after he recovered, but controlled work could not answer how he would respond to a live rush, unfamiliar coverage and the pressure of managing an entire drive.

Steelers Need Howard’s On-Target Throws To Become Routine

Howard does not need to prove he has a stronger arm than every quarterback in the room. He needs to show that his arm is sufficient when paired with timing, anticipation and reliable mechanics. The preseason can provide that answer far more clearly than an isolated camp highlight.

Pittsburgh should study how he handles intermediate throws from the far hash, where velocity and anticipation become especially important. It should also watch whether his ball placement holds when he moves to a second read or resets after pressure forces him off his original spot.

Consistency will determine whether Wexell’s comparison becomes reassuring or concerning. Pickett’s arm was capable of making NFL throws, but physical adequacy did not automatically create a dependable offense. Howard must prove that his processing, pocket movement and mechanics can elevate an arm that may never be considered exceptional.

The Steelers have reasons to remain patient. Howard is entering only his second season, and his rookie development was interrupted before the preseason began. McCarthy now has a full camp to refine his movement and evaluate whether the quarterback can turn isolated flashes into repeatable football.

Howard’s best throws show the possibility. His uneven stretches show why the competition remains open. The arm may be good enough, but Pittsburgh still needs evidence that the quarterback using it can be consistent enough to earn a place in the team’s future.

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