Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard didn’t take advantage of his starting opportunity in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason. The second-year signal-caller averaged only 4.9 yards per pass and threw two interceptions in the opponents’ territory.
Howard took accountability for the picks while speaking to reporters after the game. However, the quarterback also made another thing clear.
Interceptions happen, and he will be better in his next opportunity.
“I don’t blink. It’s football. Bad things are going to happen,” Howard said in his long answer discussing his Friday night performance. “In a regular season game, if I was playing the whole game, I would have to come back in the second half and go win the game. That’s the reality of it.
“Just again, learn from, grow from, get better.”
There’s plenty to get better from for Howard and the Steelers overall after their Week 2 preseason game. Pittsburgh’s offense didn’t score, as the New York Jets defeated the Steelers 17-0 on Friday.
Steelers’ Will Howard Responds to Poor Night vs. Jets
GettyPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard addressed the media after throwing two interceptions in preseason loss to New York Jets.
Howard is just getting his first NFL game experience this month. He didn’t play at all — in the preseason or otherwise — as a rookie last season.
But Howard has plenty of football experience battling adversity. Given that experience, young quarterback appeared to have the right temperament after the disappointing outing Friday night.
“Listen, if you play quarterback in the NFL, you’re going to throw interceptions. I’ve played quarterback my whole life, and I’ve thrown a lot of interceptions,” Howard told the media. “It comes with the game.
“I feel like I’ve been through enough and seen enough that getting down after one pick isn’t going to help anything. It’s all about how you come back. Obviously, you don’t want to have a second one. But you have to come back after that.”
During his final regular season start at Ohio State in 2024, Howard threw two interceptions in a loss against Michigan. But he responded with an incredible playoff run to a national championship for the Buckeyes.
“I’ve done it before, and I’ve been able to bounce back, and that gives you confidence,” added Howard. “It’s intrusive confidence and believing in yourself no matter what.
“I felt support from my teammates, they were patting me on the helmet, ‘We’ve got you.’ I gotta give them a shoutout for picking me up.”
Everything about preseason football is a learning experience. That’s the biggest takeaway for Howard as he moves forward to complete his first healthy NFL exhibition campaign.
Howard Laments Missed Opportunity Friday
GettyPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard struggled in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
Now, just because Howard can chalk up Friday’s performance as something to learn from doesn’t mean it wasn’t a missed opportunity.
Toward the end of his press conference, the quarterback expressed what he regrets most about his game versus the Jets.
“We didn’t really make any strides tonight. That’s a shame because every opportunity out here, you want to be growing. You want to be growing. You want to be taking steps forward.”
Howard finished the night 10 of 15 with 74 passing yards. He also had a sack to go with the two interceptions.
On both picks, Howard was targeting wide receiver Roman Wilson. The quarterback told reporters he talked to Wilson on the sideline during the game after both mistakes. Howard also said he would discuss the plays with the receiver further while also studying the game film.
Steelers’ Will Howard Delivers Clear Message After Throwing 2 INTs in Preseason