Will Howard as Steelers Starting Quarterback In 2026: Is It Realistic?
As the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the offseason, the quarterbacks currently on their depth chart are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard.
Rudolph appeared in five games this season, including one start, where he posted an 84.6 passer rating.
Howard was a sixth round draft choice by the Steelers in 2025. The former Ohio State standout had looked impressive in camp, before suffering a fractured bone in his pinky finger. Howard was activated off IR in mid-November, but did not appear in a game.
Following a disastrous showing in the AFC Wildcard Game, Aaron Rodgers isn’t likely to return to Pittsburgh, especially with Mike Tomlin’s surprising decision to step down from the team. There’s a good possibility that Rodgers elects to retire.
On Saturday, the Steelers hired Rodgers’ former head coach, Mike McCarthy - a move that has prompted many strong opinions.
When asked about Howard, McCarthy said he’s intrigued by the upside of the 24-year-old.
Given McCarthy’s lengthy track record of developing quarterbacks, one would think that Howard would benefit from the coaching change.
Steelers owner and team president, Art Rooney II, doesn’t expect the team to rebuild, and quite frankly, isn’t a fan of the term. So would the Steelers give an opportunity to a quarterback that was a Day 3 draft pick a year ago?
There’s been plenty of speculation of the Steelers going with a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh. Does Rooney envision the team going with an inexperienced option to open the 2026 season? Even Mason Rudolph as a stopgap starter wouldn’t really solve anything.
Malik Willis is one of the more notable quarterbacks in free agency. Willis is projected to receive a nice payday in a less than ideal free agent QB class - most suggesting a 2-3 year deal.
If the goal is to “win now” next season, then it’s likely the Steelers go out and sign someone like Willis. In turn, it would leave Howard competing for a backup spot at best going into training camp.