Is the Steelers’ Will Howard hype genuine or a smokescreen?
Will Howard has been a focal point of the Steelers’ discussions with the media thus far this offseason, notable for many reasons. For one, he is the only “upside” prospect they have at the quarterback position. More glaringly, though, he is a player who has never taken a snap in even a preseason game. So what exactly have they been praising?
Well, there are always the intangibles, of which we only see his poise and authority during interviews. In a public-facing capacity, Will Howard certainly presents himself as a leader. But the Steelers have only seen him lead a huddle on the practice field—and with the scout team.
The reality is there is so little to know about Howard that it’s easy to paint one’s own narrative. He can be anything you want him to be right now because he is currently nothing. We haven’t seen him fail, but we haven’t seen him succeed, either. And outside of some practice tape, the Steelers are right there with us in the same boat.
Obviously, they know something about Will Howard that we don’t—although nearly all of the previous coaching staff is gone, too, so that’s something to consider. GM Omar Khan talked about Mike McCarthy reviewing Howard’s practice tape. Evidently, that was enough to praise the young quarterback in several different interviews and press conferences already.
But is this genuine enthusiasm reaching the levels that they’re due, or are the Steelers deliberately presenting this united front behind Howard as their potential future franchise quarterback? There’s no incentive not to, of course. He’s on the roster, after all, and you don’t want to tell him that he’s just a body.
Reportedly, there are those around the league questioning the Steelers’ enthusiasm for Howard, and I think that’s more than fair. It’s hard to work up much enthusiasm for a sixth-round rookie who never played in the preseason and spent most of the year on IR. But do they really think as highly of them as their comments suggest, or is it just business?
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin resigning.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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