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Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback Will Howard.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been patient at the quarterback position this offseason, although the assumption is that new head coach Mike McCarthy will run it back with the trio of Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard. The Steelers HC — as well as everyone else in Pittsburgh — is just waiting on that highly-anticipated Rodgers news ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite the team and player push for Rodgers to return, the fan favorite of this group might be Howard, a second-year draft pick and former National Champion who has yet to appear in so much as a preseason game.
Unfortunately, Howard suffered an injury last summer, which forced him to miss his lone opportunity for snaps as a rookie. He’ll also be learning a new system and playbook with McCarthy taking over in 2026. That’s no easy feat for a young quarterback.
Obstacles aside, the Steelers have spoken highly of Howard this offseason, emboldening his supporters. However, veteran beat reporter and insider Mark Kaboly was very honest with the 24-year-old during a mailbag post on March 26.
“If the plan is for Rodgers to come back for one last season, draft a QB in the 2027 ‘greatest of all-time’ QB class, but they are still high on Will Howard, when does he get the opportunity to try and become the starter?” A fan asked Kaboly. Adding: “Is practice and playing in preseason enough?”
Kaboly’s blunt response read as follows:
“You have a 42-year-old QB in 2026 and a rookie in 2027, which gives a lot of opportunity to Howard. What he does with that, maybe the only opportunity that surely will come, could define his career.”
Steelers Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers Could Spell Doom for Will Howard’s Pittsburgh Career
GettyPittsburgh Steelers free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
You never know what’s going to happen if you’re an NFL backup. There are injuries every season, and at quarterback specifically, future draft classes often fail to live up to the hype.
Many believe the 2027 QB class will be a strong one, but there’s no guarantee that it is as we sit here on March 26, 2026. Still, it’s worth pointing out that Rodgers’ return could make things really tough on the development of Howard.
The second-year prospect will get reps throughout OTAs and training camp, no doubt. Obviously, the hope is that he plays during the preseason this time around, too.
At the end of the day, though, young quarterbacks eventually need regular season snaps. That’s the only true way to tell if they have what it takes, and Howard may never get that opportunity if Rodgers re-signs.
Kaboly practically lays out that exact scenario above. One, Rodgers returns and starts every game, barring injury. Two, the Steelers draft a quarterback next spring, with it being a deep class at the position. Three, Howard’s only “opportunity” comes during the 2026 and 2027 spring and summer, where he’ll be pitted against two vets (this year) and a potential high-end draft pick (next year).
That’s not exactly a hopeful outlook for the former sixth-round pick out of Ohio State.
Kaboly Shares His Take on Latest Aaron Rodgers News
The Rodgers situation has gotten somewhat strange again. Retired players like Ben Roethlisberger and ex-teammate AJ Hawk have publicly campaigned for his return, but there has been very little movement from Rodgers, who claimed he has not received a contract offer.
The Steelers have also said that they want Rodgers back on multiple occasions. And they have certainly built out the roster as if he’s returning.
As for Kaboly’s take on the most recent Rodgers offseason saga, he took a pretty definitive stance within the same mailbag post.
“I believe the Steelers know already, or at least have a really good idea, that he’s coming back,” Kaboly told a fan. Continuing: “They think they will hear something definitely before the draft. Trust me, he’s coming back, so don’t overthink this.”
Kaboly also noted that he only expects a quarterback selection in 2026 if Rodgers gives word that he’s retiring before the draft. 2027 is a different story.
“Having the most [pick] ammo they can have for next year’s quarterback draft class is their goal,” the long-time beat reporter relayed. Once again, reinforcing that Howard doesn’t have a whole lot of time to impress Steelers decision-makers.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller
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