The Pittsburgh Steelers saw a lot of positivity behind center in the team’s preseason opener Thursday. But was second-year quarterback Will Howard the best of the bunch?
It’s a stretch to claim head coach Mike McCarthy suggested that in his Saturday response about the team’s signal-callers. But Howard was the only quarterback in the head coach’s Saturday press conference that he mentioned by name.
“So much of preseason football is No. 1, particularly the young guys that get out there, they’re assignment strong but you also, as a quarterback, you got to know how to react when the guy doesn’t run the right route,” said McCarthy. “Will [Howard] had one, and I thought he did a good job getting on to the second receiver and trying to get to the check down.
“So, those are all positive little things.”
Howard finished his NFL preseason debut going 7-for-9 with 86 yards. His longest completion was a 22-yard pass to tight end Robert Tonyan.
Will Howard Gets Some Love From Mike McCarthy
The Steelers quarterback competition is so heated that any little detail could make a difference. In this case, a tiny detail could indicate where the team might be leaning with its roster considerations.
On August 30, every NFL team has to cut its roster to 53 players. Typically, teams keep three quarterbacks. But the Steelers have four signal-callers they clearly like.
Howard has the best chance of being the “odd-man out.” The more praise McCarthy and others inside the organization give the young quarterback, though, the more likely Howard is probably going to stay.
McCarthy has been very complimentary of Mason Rudolph this month. Rudolph is the other Steelers quarterback most likely to be cut over the next two weeks.
The fact McCarthy has praised Rudolph more lately made the positive thing he said about Howard on Saturday even more noteworthy.
Steelers Need Howard to Show More in Final 2 Preseason Games
Howard played well in the preseason opener. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers don’t still need to see more from the signal-caller.
As coaches say, there’s more work to be done.
Howard and the Steelers will face the New York Jets on Friday. If starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to play this preseason, that’s likely the game he will dress.
That would make it more difficult for Howard to get playing time. If Rodgers plays, the Steeles will have four quarterbacks needing snaps in one game.
But the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills could be a huge moment in Howard’s career. The Steelers will visit the Bills on Thursday, August 27 as the team’s final preseason game.
These games would have been important for Howard regardless. But Howard suffered a hand injury in early August of his rookie season last year. The ailment sidelined him for a few months, preventing him from playing in the 2025 preseason.
This month will be the only NFL game repetitions Howard has on tape impacting the team’s decision on whether to keep him on the roster for 2026.
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy Singles Out Will Howard in Preseason Opener Analysis