The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting decision approaching inside their crowded quarterback room. Aaron Rodgers is preparing for his final NFL season, Mason Rudolph provides experienced insurance, and young quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar are attempting to prove they belong in Pittsburgh's future plans.
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Steelers' Will Howard throws the ball during training camp in 2026 as Drew Allar looks on.
Howard appeared to have a natural advantage entering 2026. The Steelers selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, giving him an entire season inside an NFL organization before Allar arrived. However, that advantage has not materialized the way many expected.
Howard suffered an injury after participating in slightly more than one week of training camp during his rookie season. He missed the preseason and lost valuable developmental opportunities. Mike Tomlin then stepped away, Arthur Smith's offense was removed, and Mike McCarthy arrived with an entirely different system and quarterback school.
Everything Howard learned suddenly became far less useful. During a recent mailbag, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly was asked why Pittsburgh should keep Howard if he cannot defeat Rudolph for the backup job.
"Because Howard is basically a rookie this year," Kaboly responded. "He had a little more than a week of camp last year, and now everything he learned from the [Arthur] Smith offense doesn't apply."
That explanation completely changes how Howard's performance should be evaluated. He may officially be entering his second NFL season, but his developmental timeline looks much closer to that of a rookie. Expecting him to immediately beat an experienced quarterback like Rudolph would be unfair.
Rudolph has started meaningful NFL games, handled pressure and worked within several professional offenses. Howard is still learning how to function within McCarthy's system while making up for nearly an entire year of missed development.
Howard's early struggles should not mean much right now. He has experienced an unusual amount of change since entering the NFL. The coach who drafted him is gone, the offense he initially learned no longer applies, and he is now being taught through a new quarterback-development program.
Steelers Must Remain Patient With Will Howard
Pittsburgh should absolutely keep Howard even if he finishes behind Rudolph and Allar. Giving up after one disrupted season would mean punishing Howard for circumstances he could not control.
It would become slightly concerning if Howard cannot at least remain competitive with Allar. Both players are essentially beginning from the same starting point inside McCarthy's offense. Allar is a true rookie, but Howard's limited experience should still provide some understanding of NFL preparation and professional expectations.
Steelers fans may also be placing the wrong expectations on Howard. He is not currently the guaranteed future of the franchise. Strong leadership and an impressive mental makeup do not automatically make someone ready to become an NFL starter.
Howard remains a developmental gamble with intriguing upside. His most realistic path may be becoming a dependable long-term backup who understands McCarthy's offense, strengthens the quarterback room and can win important games when called upon.
That would still be an excellent result from a sixth-round pick. Every young quarterback does not need to become the face of the franchise to provide significant value. Reliable backups can save seasons, stabilize locker rooms and remain with organizations for many years. Just ask Charlie Batch.
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Steelers' Will Howard celebrates a nice play during mandatory minicamp in 2026.
The prediction here is that Howard will have a long career in Pittsburgh. He may never become the Steelers' unquestioned franchise quarterback, but he can develop into a trusted backup who wins critical games and earns another contract in the Steel City.
Howard's evaluation should begin now. His rookie year was interrupted, and the organizational changes effectively erased his head start. McCarthy deserves time to develop him before Pittsburgh decides what he can ultimately become. All eyes will remain on the Steel City for the foreseeable future as these young quarterbacks compete for the opportunity to become the future of the franchise.
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