Even with Aaron Rodgers back, one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top offseason storylines will continue to be the progress of the team’s developmental quarterbacks vying to one day take over the franchise. Will Howard has yet to play even a preseason snap, but he continues to stand out in every way he can during practice.

“When you saw Will Howard today, he looked really sharp,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac said Wednesday after the Steelers’ second OTA session. “Not just completing his throws, just what he had to do. You could see him making some of the reads, rolling out of the pocket. I thought Will Howard looked very good today for a guy who’s never played a down in the NFL.”

Aside from the standard disclaimer that it’s just OTAs and not a real game-like football environment, it’s better to stand out in every setting than to not. There is a reason why every level of the organization has been raving about Howard’s potential since the 2025 season ended. Mike McCarthy mentioned him almost immediately after being hired in his introductory press conference, and all the buzz indicated he was Pittsburgh’s Plan B had Rodgers opted to retire.

Howard’s early performances matter for several reasons. For one, it could have a material effect on the Steelers’ 2026 QB room and the depth chart they carry into the season. If Howard can prove game-ready, then Mason Rudolph is expendable as the only other QB on the roster with actual experience. Pittsburgh isn’t going to cut Drew Allar, the No. 76 overall selection in the 2026 draft.

It also proves that Howard is a quick study and adaptable to different environments. He’s only received several sessions of in-helmet instruction from Mike McCarthy so far, and he’s already impressing.

We all saw the out-of-context footwork videos that people overreacted to for Drew Allar. That’s a normal part of the process for McCarthy’s QB school, but Howard seems to be quickly progressing through those challenges.

“His presence in the pocket, his footwork, which Mike McCarthy demands of his players, he looked really smooth out there,” Ray Fittipaldo said.

A strong OTAs showing can carry into training camp, and continued progress there would only strengthen Howard’s case to be the Steelers’ top backup. So far, he’s passing every test they throw his way.