"One Great Drive": Steelers' Will Howard Under Fire For Underwhelming 2026 Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now about two weeks away from the kickoff of the 2026 NFL season for the inaugural campaign with Mike McCarthy as head coach. The team will need to set its initial 53-man roster ahead of the Sunday evening deadline according to the rules set forth by the NFL. Moves can still be made prior to the Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, but some big decisions await the coaching staff in the Steel City. All eyes were on young quarterbacks Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar as the preseason unfolded for the Black and Gold.

They both had a great start to exhibition play in the team's 28-9 win against the Green Bay Packers. However, the numbers dipped big time following that opener and it leaves questions surrounding the two moving forward. Now, attention will shift to veteran Aaron Rodgers as he will take over as the starting quarterback for the the meaningful football contests.

A recent report indicated that the organization is planning to keep all four quarterbacks going into the 2026 season. On Friday, team insider Nick Farabaugh joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss headlines surrounding the team following the conclusion of its preseason schedule. He was particularly critical when asked about the play of Howard in the preseason. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t know if I agree that Will Howard showed enough to deserve a 53 man roster spot,” Farabaugh said. “He had one great drive and that’s what everyone will hold on to. He’s put the ball in harm's way for a guy that doesn’t have a great arm, he’s had really skittish pocket management. The pocket management he’s had, he’s slid into some pressures, he’s held the ball too long. He created some pressure for himself.”

While play certainly dipped from the first preseason game to the last for both signsl-callers, this was especially true with Howard. Allar showed some flashes, especially following a collegiate career at Penn State in which he failed to live up to his high billing coming out of high school. Given his struggles at that level, the coaching staff has decided to tear him down and try to build him back up entirely in hopes of finding the next franchise quarterback for when Rodgers departs.

Steelers Still In Tough Situation For Quarterback Answers

The Black and Gold have not had a true franchise quarterback since they saw Ben Roethlisberger retire following the 2021 NFL season. They have taken a fair share of swings, and ultimately missed, at trying to find that replacement for an organizational great to fill his shoes. Following the preseason, it is tough to really gauge where the team is at in its search for that next guy at the position given the fact that the two youngsters will most likely not see the field again for a year.

The one thing to keep in mind when in comes to Howard's play in the preseason is that he was not playing with many starting playmakers. This includes wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, who both did not see any exhibition action. 

He was able to orchestrate Ohio State to a College Football Playoff National Championship in his final season with the Buckeyes. The one thing he lacked in the preseason was top talent at the wide receiver position, something that he had plenty of during his time with Ohio State.

Farabaugh's evaluation of his play is very accurate given the that that Howard dropped off following the first preseason game. It would have been nice to also see the quarterback get some work with starters at the skill positions, but them sitting out preseason is not something uncommon in the NFL. 

Despite the struggles Farabaugh eluded to, McCarthy and his regime appear high on giving both young guys a chance at the position moving forward. However, they better hope they get at least one of them right as they are in desperate need of finding their answer at the quarterback position long-term.

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