The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a weird spot as a franchise entering the 2026 season. The organization wants to win now, but it is extremely hard to be a legitimate contender in the NFL without a true, franchise quarterback. The Steelers do not have that, but they continue to build up the rest of the roster. Much of the fan base has begged for a bad season or two to maybe jumpstart a potential rebuild, but it has been made clear that won't be happening in Pittsburgh. The franchise continues to try to be as competitive as possible, but this time around, the decision-makers are thinking about the future as well.
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Steelers' Mike McCarthy during a press conference at mandatory minicamp during the 2026 offseason.
The major complaints with the Steelers focusing on winning now rather than building for the future have revolved around the quarterback position. For the past three seasons, the organization has brought in a veteran quarterback to start, rather than trying to develop a younger player at the position, and all it has gotten the organization is three straight embarrassing playoff losses. The fans are tired of it, which is why many people in Pittsburgh are happy that there are two younger quarterbacks on the roster in Will Howard and Drew Allar.
Howard is entering his second season, and many have speculated that he or Mason Rudolph will be the odd man out in that room. Howard is battling with Rudolph for the top backup spot, and there is a good chance the loser of that battle could be cut. Insider Nick Farabaugh joined 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning and shared why he thinks the team is leaning towards Howard.
"Yeah, I think I have been. I think pretty consistently, I've been there." Farabaugh said. "I think the young guys are going to be the ones that the Steelers want to invest in. At some point, you've got to turn your eye at least a little bit towards the future, even potentially all in on the future. If Will Howard can prove he's similar to the level that Mason Rudolph would give you, I think they would go with Will Howard. I'll be real, I think Mason Rudolph is a high-floor backup, I'm not sure he's an elite backup, he's fine. This is not an insane thought to me that Will Howard could unseat Mason Rudolph."
There are a few members of the media that believe Rudolph is a top-flight backup in the NFL, and that is simply not true based on every metric available. He has failed time and time again, so parting ways with him shouldn't feel like a risk. If Howard's play is anywhere near Rudolph's during the preseason, Howard should be the guy moving forward.
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Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The only world where Rudolph should earn a roster spot or the top backup spot over Howard is if the second-year quarterback completely blows up in the preseason. His play should have to be atrocious for the Steelers to consider keeping Rudolph over him. He hasn't proven anything in the league quite yet, but he is a developmental prospect for Pittsburgh entering his second season. Aaron Rodgers is retiring after the 2026 season, and Howard could end up being the guy that replaces him.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Owner Art Rooney II (right) on the field at a team practice while having a discussion.
Steelers Could Still Keep Four Quarterbacks On Final Roster
The norm is to keep three quarterbacks on the final roster, but the Steelers could certainly break away from that. It is more likely that one is cut, but it is absolutely a possibility that four are kept. A player like Howard or Rudolph could be stashed on the practice squad as well, and a player can be placed on injured reserve with a legitimate injury, but that stint on injured reserve can be extended.
What do you think about the Steelers leaning towards Howard? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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