The Steelers' Kaden Wetjen returns a punt Thursday night against the Bills.
The Steelers' Kaden Wetjen returns a punt Thursday night against the Bills.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — On a night that offers valid proof why Roger Goodell wants to scrap the third preseason game, the Steelers kept more starters at home than they used in their last-minute, 28-27 loss against the Buffalo Bills.
The only starter to play against the Bills on Thursday night was tackle Dylan Cook, who started on the left side instead of his usual spot on the right.
Five of the team’s biggest stars — Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman — didn’t even make the trip to Buffalo.
In the end, though, coach Mike McCarthy all but confirmed he will keep four quarterbacks when teams have to get down to the mandatory 53-player limit by Sunday.
[Steelers quarterback Will Howard throws against the Bills on Thursday night.
Steelers quarterback Will Howard throws against the Bills on Thursday night.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/27/steelers-will-howard-germie-bernard-max-iheanachor/stories/202608270038)
“I think it's a very accurate evaluation on your part,” McCarthy said after the Steelers ended the preseason with a 1-2 record. “I feel good about the quarterback room. I've been saying it for quite some time. We got two veterans that we can win with, and we got two young guys that we're really excited about their future.”
The Post-Gazette reported last week the Steelers had already decided they’ll keep Howard and Allar on the 53-man roster — a decision that underlines their belief that one of the two quarterbacks has the potential to be their future starter.
And McCarthy got another extended look at his two young quarterbacks against the Bills, even though neither was in danger of being cut.
“I feel really good about the body of work that we were able to accomplish, not just the quarterbacks,” McCarthy said. “It gives us a chance to set a plan as we go into these next 72 hours and get the roster in the best position we possibly can.”
All that, though, is part of a much bigger picture: The Steelers’ readiness to start the regular season and begin defense of their AFC North title.
“It’s so important, particularly when you know the success that’s been going on in Pittsburgh and you’re starting a new program, you want to make sure your process is in order,” McCarthy said. “I just want to get this thing right.”
Howard, who played the entire first half for the second game in a row, threw a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter to make the Bills pay for a couple of special teams mistakes. But he was being evaluated after the game for a head injury after being sacked three times and hit on several other occasions.
And Allar, the fourth quarterback selected in this past NFL Draft, led an 11-play, 68-yard drive that ended with the Steelers’ third touchdown of the night — a 9-yard run by Mt. Lebanon native Eli Heidenreich.
“I feel good about everything I put on tape,” Allar said after completing 9 of 18 passes for 88 yards. “I think the biggest thing is I have a lot of great mentors between players and coaches to learn from. I feel like I’ve learned from the things that I haven’t done well and improved upon that.”
The game certainly wasn’t as dazzling as the Bills’ new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, built across the street from their old structure. But it did provide one highlight-reel moment: a 45-yard punt return for touchdown by Kaden Wetjen, their fourth-round draft choice who had shown little in the preseason.
“He’s been under some criticism, just for being a young guy on a veteran team — getting tough love,” McCarthy said. “I’m proud of him. That was just a helluva return by him.”
It was a tough night for Howard, who took a beating behind an offensive line that had a hard time protecting him. He completed 9 of 15 passes and two touchdowns, capitalizing on a pair of gaffes by the Bills. But he threw an interception on a miscommunication play that hurt almost as much as the beating he took.
Howard, though, wasted little time taking advantage of a muffed punt that cornerback Brandin Echols recovered at the Bills 13, using the very next play to throw a swing pass in the right flat to rookie Germie Bernard for a touchdown. Bernard broke a tackle attempt on the sideline to win a race to the pylon — the type of combative play McCarthy likes to see in young receivers.
Howard wasn’t done.
After punter Mitch Wishnowsky’s 19-yard shank gave the Steelers possession at the Bills 28, Howard needed only four plays to produce his second touchdown — a 5-yard shovel pass on a run-option play to tight end Lake McRee to make it 14-3.
But Howard had his missteps, as well. After throwing two interceptions last week against the New York Jets, he was picked off by McKees Rocks native and former Pitt safety Damar Hamlin on a play in which it was difficult to determine the intended target. The interception came three plays after Howard converted a third-and-10 pass to Max Hurleman for a 12-yard gain.
The interception hurt, and so did the hits Howard was absorbing. After on shot, he wobbled to the sideline late in the first half.
One of the sacks was surrendered by first-round pick Max Iheanachor, appearing in his first game. He let edge rusher Andre Jones Jr. run right around him for an easy takedown of Howard. Iheanachor also had a holding penalty on the ensuing series that wiped out a 9-yard completion to McRee.
First Published: August 27, 2026, 8:35 p.m.