Steelers' Will Howard Had Strange Issue Brewing Before Jets Meltdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers handed Will Howard his first NFL start on Friday night, creating an opportunity for the young quarterback to strengthen his standing in a crowded room. Before the ball was even kicked off, however, Mark Kaboly noticed something unusual about the passer's mindset.

Howard entered the matchup against the New York Jets openly motivated to prove that he belonged at the professional level. That attitude has driven him throughout his career, but Kaboly wondered whether the second-year signal-caller was focused more on silencing outside doubt than executing the assignment directly in front of him.

The concern became more interesting after Pittsburgh's 17-0 loss. Howard completed 10 of 15 passes for 74 yards, but two interceptions erased promising drives and spoiled what could have been a productive audition. During Saturday's episode of Kaboly + Mack, Kaboly revisited the strange feeling he had beforehand.

"I was a little concerned, and I wrote that about him going in," Kaboly said. "It just seemed like his motivation for the game was weird going in. He was out there just trying to prove people wrong. I was like, 'Dude, it's your first-ever start. That's not what you want your motivation to be.'"

Kaboly's observation carries more weight because it preceded the disappointing performance. Howard made several encouraging throws and moved the offense into scoring position, but his worst decisions arrived when the Steelers appeared ready to capitalize. Whether emotion directly contributed cannot be proven, although the timing makes the question reasonable.

The veteran reporter then argued that Howard should have treated the opportunity as though his roster spot were in jeopardy. He also mentioned that nearly 30 supporters gathered around the quarterback after the contest, another factor that may have added pressure to an already important evening.

"How about proving that you can actually complete a pass or play in a quarter or do something like that?" Kaboly said. "I'm not sitting here trying to prove people wrong in my first preseason game. He had 25-odd people there watching the game also. I counted them afterward. He had close to 30 people there after the game. Maybe his mind wasn't in the right spot. I don't know. I don't think you approach it that way. He needed to approach that game like his job was on the line."

There is an obvious contradiction inside that criticism. Playing as if a job is on the line naturally creates a desire to prove doubters wrong. Howard was a sixth-round selection in 2025, was not drafted by Mike McCarthy and is competing with the coach's handpicked rookie, Drew Allar. Expecting urgency without emotion is easier said than done.

Kaboly is still justified in questioning whether Howard channeled that energy properly. A quarterback trying to create a statement can force throws, hold the football too long or chase a spectacular moment rather than accepting the simple decision. Both interceptions arrived on possessions that had been progressing well, making discipline more important than heroics.

At the same time, McCarthy and Brian Angelichio have each stressed that the turnovers involved collective execution. Howard owns the throws because his name appears in the box score, but protection, routes and timing also influenced the outcome. Reducing the entire performance to an improper mindset would ignore that context.

Steelers Must See How Will Howard Responds

Howard's night was not good enough, yet one poor preseason start should not erase everything that made him intriguing. He has dealt with adversity before, transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State and helped the Buckeyes win a national championship. Responding to setbacks is already part of his football identity.

The next step is showing that his confidence can coexist with professional patience. Howard does not need to answer every critic during one possession. He needs to command the huddle, protect the football and consistently make the decision that keeps Pittsburgh's offense alive.

Kaboly may have correctly sensed that Howard carried too much into the Jets matchup. He may also be demanding two competing mindsets from a young player fighting for his future. The truth will become clearer through Howard's response, and his history suggests he will not retreat after one painful night.

Bring your Steelers opinions to X (@anthonyghalkias), and consider following for more Pittsburgh football coverage and discussion. Was Kaboly right to question Howard's pregame mindset, or was the young passer placed in an impossible situation? Different perspectives on the Black and Gold are always welcome, especially when one performance creates this much debate.

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