The options the Pittsburgh Steelers have at quarterback are growing smaller by the day. They didn’t seem to have any interest in the names in free agency or on the trade market, but nevertheless, there’s not a lot of room for them to go. They want Aaron Rodgers back, but the only quarterbacks currently on the roster are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
The latter is one that’s been talked up throughout the offseason by both Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan. Some don’t believe that to be authentic, but until the position is secured, the speculation regarding Howard isn’t going to go away. Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo thinks Howard could be their choice for the future, but he doesn’t expect that to begin in Week 1.
“You could be all in on a guy but not have him be your day-one starter. So I think you wouldn’t want to put that pressure on him, so you would have a Mason Rudolph or another veteran to be that placeholder. Like, similar to what you did with Kenny Pickett… You let him sit there and learn. And then when he’s ready, that might be October, that might be January. But whenever he’s ready, you give him the keys,” Fittipaldo said Friday on 93.7 The Fan. “I do not see them handing over the keys to him, having him be a day-one starter… I just don’t think that’s gonna happen.”
If there ever was an offseason for the Steelers to take a chance on a young quarterback, this would be it. It still feels like there’s a good chance that Rodgers will come back. But he didn’t sound very close to a decision speaking on The Pat McAfee Show a little while ago. If it’s not Ty Simpson in the first round, there isn’t a quarterback capable of being a Week 1 starter in the draft, either. And according to Gerry Dulac earlier this week, Will Howard is the Steelers’ backup plan if Rodgers doesn’t return.
If that’s the case, Fittipaldo’s preference for a veteran to start the season makes some sense. Around the league in recent memory, plenty of quarterbacks have started their careers in poor situations. Often times, it’s hurt their development as a result. And that includes some of the top picks in the draft, let alone sixth-round selections like Howard.
The Steelers don’t have a poor situation themselves, to their credit. But without even any preseason experience, it’s a lot to ask Howard to go out there and start immediately. And while it’s worth mentioning the impact Rodgers had on him last year, having a veteran to help him out, and maybe even start the season, isn’t a bad idea. Rudolph, who also has a good relationship with Howard, is one option already in the building. There are other veterans out there like Joe Flacco and Kirk Cousins.
Steelers fans are impatiently waiting for Will Howard to get his chance. And their excitement in him is understandable. But according to Fittipaldo, they might have to wait a little longer than Week 1, even if Rodgers doesn’t return.
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