"Nothing Stands Out": Steelers' Young QB Receives Harsh Truth About His Play In 2026 Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers have just wrapped up their first week of 2026 training camp, and, as always, there are plenty of position groups and players to keep an eye on. One of the main talking points of camp is the quarterback room; though Aaron Rodgers is the clear-cut starter, the players who will be backing him up are the biggest topic of conversation. The room is in a very unique spot with a veteran backup in Mason Rudolph still with the team, and two intriguing young gunslingers in rookie Drew Allar and 2025 sixth-rounder Will Howard looking to earn a spot on the depth chart. 

It's hard for any team to keep four quarterbacks, but Pittsburgh could defy the odds and make it happen, though it could take away depth from another position. The choice will obviously be made as the regular season inches closer and roster cutdowns begin, but who the Black and Gold end up going with behind Rodgers is one vital decision that will have to be made. Talking about the two young players, Howard and Allar, this camp will be very important to see what the Steelers have in terms of the future at the position. 

Howard, playing in his second year, is the one to watch, as he could be the one who takes the QB2 spot over Rudolph should he perform. However, Howard is in just his second camp, and he didn't play in the 2025 preseason due to injury. This is all still very new, and he has a new head coach to boot. These reps are crucial, and Steelers insider Mark Kaboly believes that he hasn't seen a ton of noteworthy throws from Howard. Kaboly talked about the quarterbacks on a segment for 93.7 The Fan.  

"You'll see some video from the crowd of some rocket balls, but those are selectively chosen, and they're not all like that. Nothing stands out that says Will Howard's gonna be QB2 or QB1," Kaboly said. 

This could come as a surprise, as there have been some big throws from Howard in practice already, but what's unseen by the masses speaks volumes, too. Howard will have to prove that he can not only make throws and show his athleticism, but also make the right reads and checks on the mental side of things. It's still early into camp, but for Howard to make the push to becoming the primary backup, he'll have to show out early and often. 

Under the "quarterback whisperer," Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the quarterbacks have a great opportunity to develop and get more personalized coaching than in years past. McCarthy has already spent some time eyeing his young signal-callers, and this could be an advantage for someone like Howard. He'll have the preseason to really solidify his case that he can run an NFL offense, but making these plays in camp will only help his stock rise. 

Could The Steelers Really Keep Four Quarterbacks In 2026?

Obviously, it's possible, but would it really be feasible? Pittsburgh has been alerted that 2026 will be Rodgers' last year, which means that the future at the position has yet to be determined. If they want to win now, but have options for the future, keeping four quarterbacks makes sense. However, taking away from other spots also can hurt. If the front office and coaching staff are confident that Howard could be a part of the future, they'll have to keep him around, and Allar being a third-round pick in the 2026 class has a level of immunity.

This leaves Rudolph, but as said before, the Black and Gold are serious about contending in 2026, and if Rodgers gets hurt, Rudolph gives the team the best chance to win. That's where things get complicated. It will all come down to how much they value winning this year versus next year, should they decide to only keep the typical three players at the position. Time will tell, but some quarterback movement won't be surprising.

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