Hours after reports surfaced the Pittsburgh Steelers were hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, there was already chatter among pundits about the potential McCarthy sees in quarterback Will Howard.
In his introductory press conference Tuesday, McCarthy did nothing but confirm that chatter.
McCarthy emphasized to reporters that while it’s his aim to win a championship in Pittsburgh, he’s also focused on improving the most important position in the sport.
“I think you’re always developing a quarterback. I’ve been blessed to have great starters, particularly the last one with Dak Prescott. Aaron [Rodgers] in Green Bay, Brett [Favre],” McCarthy said. “But, we’ve always approached it as the quarterback room. That second quarterback, third quarterback, they need to emulate the starter. Because that starter is dictating the rhythm and the timing and the precision with the perimeter guys.”
McCarthy then called out Howard by name.
“I’m really excited about Will Howard. He’s someone that I thought really came on at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him. It would be great to have Aaron back, but Will and Mason [Rudolph], I’m real excited to get starter with those guys.”
In Tuesday’s press conference, Howard was the only Steelers player who received more than one unprompted mention. General manager Omar Khan also addressed Howard by name.
“Conversations of developing the next quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers was part of it,” Khan said of the team’s hiring process. “I think Mike’s resume speaks for itself, who he’s been around.
“We’re excited about working with Will. So, I mean, that was a part of it.”
Again, McCarthy and Khan both addressed Howard despite no reporter specifically asking about the 2025 sixth-rounder.
Will Howard Is Mike McCarthy’s Next QB Project
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from McCarthy’s opening press conference Tuesday was how emphatic he was about wanting Rodgers back next season.
“Definitely, I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy responded when asked if he wanted Rodgers to return.
But whether Rodgers comes back or not, McCarthy appears to see Howard as his next quarterback project.
Howard led the Big Ten with a 73% completion percentage, 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns at Ohio State in 2024. He posted a 14-2 record and won the national championship too.
The Steelers selected Howard at No. 185 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers fans are itching to see what Howard will be able to do. There was a lot of hype around the quarterback last summer.
Howard, though, didn’t play in the preseason because of a hand injury.
McCarthy Will Call Plays for Steelers Offense
McCarthy stressed he’s been focused the past few days on hiring assistants for his first coaching staff. The offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will obviously play a major role in the development of Howard or any other young quarterback the Steelers might have on their roster in 2026.
But regardless of who those assistants are, McCarthy left no doubt about who will be the offensive play-caller.
“Definitely. I will call the plays on offense, so I will run the offense,” said McCarthy.
That wasn’t all that surprising. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac suggested with a social media post on January 24 that McCarthy would call plays.
During 2023, which was Prescott’s last healthy season with McCarthy as his play-caller in Dallas, the Cowboys finished first in points scored and fifth in yards. The Cowboys were first in both categories during 2021.
The Green Bay Packers were in the top 10 of each category eight times during McCarthy’s 13 seasons with that franchise.
Prescott and Rodgers were the starting quarterbacks for those offenses. As a sixth-round choice, Howard came into the league with far lower expectations than either of them.
But Howard appears to have a chance to reach his NFL potential with McCarthy as his new head coach.
Mike McCarthy Singles out Will Howard in First Steelers Press Conference