Even with the Pittsburgh Steelers hoping to get one last hurrah with the veterans on the team, they didn't hire Head Coach Mike McCarthy for the sole purpose of winning in 2026. He was brought in to find and develop the team's next franchise quarterback. For years, Pittsburgh has brought in all kinds of quarterbacks to hopefully get the team over the hump, but none of them have worked out well. It can't keep overhauling the position room and expect something to just stick. The team needs to do everything it can to find that next leader.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Will Howard (18) and Drew Allar (16) warm up for a pre-season game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.
As of 2026, the most likely candidates are in-house options. Will Howard was taken as a flyer in the 2025 draft, as the Steelers hoped he could process the game well enough to make up for some supposed physical limitations. Drew Allar is the opposite, and he was selected in the third round in 2026 for his insane physical attributes with the idea that McCarthy could teach him how to properly apply that talent with improved mechanics and mentality.
Now that the season has begun, there is a lot less focus on these young quarterbacks, but it doesn't matter. In an interview with Jim Wexell, Howard detailed the training of a scout-team player.
"[The Steelers] do give us some projects to do throughout the week," Howard said. "Drew does a couple presentations; I'll do a couple presentations. Just things that we see, whether it's around the league or from the team that we're playing, different things we'll do in the meeting room. And then sometimes if we get a Monday, me and Drew will go out there and (QBs coach) Tom (Arth)'s been great about trying to make extra time for me and Drew."
This is a far cry from how the Steelers used to treat their young backup quarterbacks. Instead of just having the young guys try and develop on their own, the coaches are making sure that Howard and Allar are still engaged despite the lack of reps they get in practice. Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth is taking time out of his week to work with both passers in particular and make sure they are progressing as well as Pittsburgh hopes.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) standing with Tom Arth during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Howard continued on and gave more detail about how Arth is working with them.
"I think Tom's done a great job on Monday mornings, and then throughout the week just in the mornings, going in the indoor (facility) and walking through some stuff and putting in some extra work with us," Howard said. "It's really meant a lot. He's working his butt off on the game plan, too, and for him to take time with us young guys means a lot."
This should give Steeler Nation lots of hope about the near future. McCarthy is very quarterback driven, so even if he can't personally work with the young backups, he has a trusted quarterbacks coach who can personally work with them and report how they are progressing. With this level of commitment and coaching, the Steelers should have much more success with developing passers, whether Howard or Allar is the future or not.
Steelers Will Likely Have To Rely On In-House Options For 2027
Unless the Steelers completely bottom out starting in Week 6, they won't be in position to draft one of the potentially elite quarterbacks in 2027. The free agent market does not have many options either unless they want to give a blockbuster deal to Mac Jones. This work that Arth is doing is not only a nice gesture for the young quarterbacks, but it's likely necessary to have any real chance of improving from 2026 to 2027 with one of them having to start.
What do you think about Howard praising Arth and the Steelers for how they work with him and Allar? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation