Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers. With quality backup Mason Rudolph and third-round rookie Drew Allar also in the Steelers quarterback room, it’s unclear how Will Howard fits into Pittsburgh’s plan behind center.
But at least through the first week of offseason workouts, the team appears to be giving Howard every opportunity to show what he can do. And by all accounts, he’s taking advantage of the chance.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke very positively of Howard once again during his last press conference. Specifically, McCarthy shared how well the second-year quarterback has performed at practice.
“Our first meetings, just sitting there talking football, and just coaching quarterbacks for a long time, you know the questions to ask, the tempo and the pace, the jumping in and out of conversation,” said McCarthy. “He’s got excellent wiring.
“[Howard’s] a lot more athletic than I realized in his lower half, so he’s doing a heck of a job. He’s having a really good offseason.”
Will Howard Pushing to be Steelers Backup?
NFL insider Albert Breer wrote on social media last week that part of why Rodgers didn’t sign until May 16 was because the Steelers wanted to get as much time as possible with Howard. That update appeared to indicate Howard was facing a make-or-break scenario, where he needed to perform well between now and August to make the Steelers roster this fall.
McCarthy didn’t confirm that Breer report. But the Steelers head coach explained to reporters why Howard has received more opportunities during the early part of OTAs than Rudolph.
“Mason’s played a lot of football, and I’ll say this about Mason, I’m extremely impressed with him,” said McCarthy. “I think it’s like anything in the quarterback world, until you really stand next to him, and you’re out there with him, you don’t really understand the true velocity of how each one of these guys throws the football.
“I really like Mason.”
If Howard truly needs to perform well this spring and summer to make the Steelers roster, he’s passing the test early.
“When you saw Will Howard today, he looked really sharp,” said The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac on May 20. “Not just completing his throws, just what he had to do. You could see him making some of the reads, rolling out of the pocket.
“I thought Will Howard looked very good today for a guy who’s never played a down in the NFL.”
Could Steelers Keep Four Quarterbacks on 2026 NFL Roster?
Howard could make the Steelers quarterback decision this summer an easy one if he doesn’t earn a roster spot. However, the team would prefer to have four signal-callers worth keeping.
There’s still a long way to go until the end of the preseason. But that’s the current situation the Steelers find themselves in — four worthy quarterbacks to keep on the roster.
McCarthy addressed that issue in front of the media.
“We definitely got four that we love,” said McCarthy. “I can say that you always have to develop the room. That’s always been the approach.
“So, we’re hoping Omar [Khan] can get the roster expanded to 55, and we can keep four. But it’s a really good room. This is a good place to be, having four guys that can play.”
McCarthy mentioning the possibility of expanding rosters was pretty obviously a tongue-in-cheek remark. If the Steelers want to keep four quarterbacks, they will have to find the space within the league’s current roster restrictions.
Rodgers and Allar are locks to make the final 53-man team. Barring injuries, that leaves Howard to compete with Rudolph for the backup job behind Rodgers.
That’s why it’s likely critical Howard is off to a strong start at offseason workouts. Those will continue for the Steelers on May 26.
Mike McCarthy Delivers Strong Message on Will Howard After Aaron Rodgers Returns