Pittsburgh Steelers, Will Howard
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Pittsburgh Steelers QB Will Howard.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t talking about whether Aaron Rodgers will return or not, they’re building up backup quarterback Will Howard.
Howard, last year’s sixth-round draft pick, has been viewed as a potential starting option if Rodgers doesn’t return or if the team decides not to bring in another veteran like Kirk Cousins.
So far this offseason, the Steelers have been overwhelmingly supportive of Howard — to the point where it’s starting to feel a bit over the top. That didn’t stop at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix this week.
When asked about Howard, head coach Mike McCarthy once again delivered a strong endorsement of the former Ohio State quarterback.
Mike McCarthy’s Praise for Will Howard Turns Heads
While at the league meetings, McCarthy doubled down on his belief in Howard, even suggesting he should have been drafted much earlier.
“People get caught up on what round he went in. If I was drafting players that year, he wouldn’t have been around in the fifth or sixth round. I valued him higher than that based off Kansas State… man, I thought he jumped out of the TV set during the college playoffs,” McCarthy said, via Chris Adamski.
“What is there not to like about the guy? I think he’s definitely a real prospect as a starting quarterback. I believed that when he came out.”
Not everyone is buying into the hype, though.
Andrew Fillipponi of 937 The Fan has perhaps seen enough of the Howard hype machine, calling this a continuation of McCarthy’s “love affair” with his new quarterback.
“Howard is the most hyped 6th rounder in NFL history,” Fillipponi said.
Mike McCarthy’s love affair with Will Howard is growing. Now says if he was running the Steelers draft last year. Howard would have been long gone by 6th round. And Howard has “starting quarterback traits”. Howard is most hyped 6th rounder in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/jZojL5ukIb
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 31, 2026
It’s fair to question how much of this translates to the field. Howard didn’t appear in a single game last season, including the preseason, after dealing with a hand injury during training camp.
That should change this year, especially if he’s in the mix for the starting job. He’s expected to get extended reps in the preseason, which could give the Steelers a clearer picture of what they have.
Steelers Still See Development Needed for Will Howard
Even with all the praise, McCarthy made it clear that Howard is still a work in progress.
“You can talk about his throwing motion, some things throwing the ball. I think there’s a lot of growth with his feet. Like a lot of these guys,” McCarthy said. “The challenge I see in college football is so scheme heavy… there’s not a lot of training in the footwork.”
McCarthy even pointed to Aaron Rodgers as the example of what elite quarterback mechanics should look like.
“So, throwing the ball, and you got the best guy that’s probably ever done it in Aaron Rodgers. I mean, you look at the way Aaron throws, just watch his feet. Watch the ground force explosion that comes up from his feet to his hips into his throwing motion. My point is, there’s room for development there. I think there’s a lot to work with Will.”
Out of the conversations McCarthy says he’s been having with Rodgers, that development could very well be part of the plan.
If Rodgers does return, his role may not just be leading the offense — but also helping bring along Howard as the Steelers continue shaping their future at quarterback.