Steelers Insider: Will Howard Didn't Look As Good As Mason Rudolph or Skylar Thompson In On Field Practice

The Pittsburgh Steelers are surrounded by quarterback controversy again in the 2026 NFL offseason. The team's starting signal-caller is unclear, as 2025's starter, Aaron Rodgers, is still prolonging his decision. Pittsburgh's current quarterbacks consist of 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran backup Mason Rudolph. With Rodgers' decision up in the air, the team recently named Howard the QB1 heading into minicamp. The way the front office handles the quarterback situation will be interesting as training camp gets closer. 

Howard has the confidence of the front office and coaching staff. He has yet to appear in an NFL game, including the preseason, in his young career. Howard was able to participate in most of training camp before a finger injury derailed him in August. Consequently, he was placed on the IR, where he spent time until his 21-day practice window closed. He was added to the 53-man roster in November. Howard was the team's third quarterback for the remainder of the season (outside of when Rodgers was hurt), and still didn't see any reps.

The young gunslinger had a very successful collegiate career, winning a College Football Playoff championship with Ohio State University. There, his draft stock rose, as he showed out in the playoffs and earned respect among scouts. Despite this, he did slip until the sixth round. Howard has many of the intangibles to be a good quarterback in the NFL; however, he is still a very raw prospect. Based on his lack of play, Howard has his doubters, even among the many believers he has gained throughout his tenure in the Steel City. 

Steelers insider Bob Labriola gave Howard some harsh criticism in his recent Asked and Answered where he answers questions from fans. A fan asked if he saw potential in Howard and if he could be a long-term solution at quarterback. 

"Will Howard didn't get much of an opportunity to show what he could do last summer at Saint Vincent College, and during the brief time he had, he didn't look as good to me as Mason Rudolph or Skylar Thompson in any of the on-field practices in pads," Labriola wrote. "Once training camp opens... It's going to be up to him."

While Howard had limited opportunity in training camp, it doesn't seem like there was much to be excited about according to Labriola. Rudolph was the clear backup quarterback and has started numerous games for the Steelers in the past, while Thompson was the team's camp arm who ended up having a somewhat impressive preseason. Howard will have a chance this offseason to show what he can do. He had a full NFL season to learn, and without having a preseason, it really set him back. He'll hopefully have a chance to prove himself this go-around, barring injury. 

This will be a big test for a sixth-round pick. A very small percentage of picks that late into the draft amount to being a starting quarterback, but given the weapons, system, and intangibles, Howard could be a part of that rarity. If Rodgers comes back, he'll have another year to learn under a future Hall of Famer, and he'll have a new head coach who is considered the quarterback guru in Mike McCarthy. The pieces are set up for a young quarterback to take the reins, and if he can prove it, it could be Howard. 

Steelers Can Challenge Howard With A New Draft Pick

The Black and Gold have hosted a number of draft prospects for top-30 visits in the South Side of Pittsburgh. Among them were many mid-round quarterback prospects who could be there for the taking with one of the Steelers' multiple picks in that range. One of these players could be a good competition for Howard, who could really benefit from it. 

The Steelers typically carry four quarterbacks throughout camp, and a later draft pick could be where Pittsburgh gains its fourth. It's all up to Howard to handle the offseason well, and hopefully trend in the right direction ahead of the 2026 regular season. 

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