Pittsburgh Steelers
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Will Howard gets positive prediction on Steelers future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major question at quarterback.
Pittsburgh had Aaron Rodgers as the team’s starting quarterback last season. Before the season, he hinted at it being the final year of his career. Yet, Rodgers had success and is now heavily considering returning to Pittsburgh.
However, no deal has been made, so the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart features Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. Yet, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic believes Howard is ahead of Rudolph on the depth chart. And, new head coach Mike McCarthy is a big fan of Howard.
“The Steelers continue to have positive conversations with Aaron Rodgers. There’s optimism within the organization that the future Hall of Fame QB will return,” DeFabo wrote. “But until he signs, nothing is set in stone. The team is high on Howard, particularly new coach Mike McCarthy. How the reps are divided in OTAs will be interesting to monitor. Eventually, Howard should step ahead of Rudolph on the depth chart, but how quickly will that happen?”
Pittsburgh selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet, he dealt with a hand injury last season.
So, if the Steelers don’t bring back Rodgers and go with Howard as their starting quarterback next season, it would be a bold move from Pittsburgh.
Steelers Reportedly Hopeful Rodgers Will Return
Rodgers has yet to make a firm decision on his future. But the Steelers are reportedly hopeful he will return next season.
DeFabo reported that all of Pittsburgh’s offseason moves have been made, thinking Rodgers will return in 2026.
“While general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine that he doesn’t anticipate the indecision will drag out like it did last year,” DeFabo wrote. “And the prevailing sentiment from inside the organization is that the team believes an answer will come sometime this month. The Steelers ended Wednesday as one of the NFL’s few teams without a clear-cut QB1 in place or an obvious path to land one.
“That said, while the Steelers don’t have a signature on a dotted line, the moves they made suggest they’re trying to win in this 42-year-old QB’s window.”
Yet, until a contract is signed, the Steelers could very well have to roll with Howard as the starting quarterback in 2026.
Rodgers Mentored Howard Last Season
Pittsburgh had Rodgers, Rudolph, and Howard as its three quarterbacks last season.
Although Howard dealt with some injuries, Rodgers tried to take him under his wing and mentor him.
“Will, in general, I think has what it takes from a personality and a moxy standpoint, to have a long career in the league. I really wanted to pour into Will and make sure he knew that I cared about him,” Rodgers said to The Pat McAfee Show.
Howard was able to learn from Rodgers and study him while he was recovering from his hand injury. Although he didn’t get any NFL snaps in his rookie season, learning from a future Hall of Famer no doubt will help him.