Few players have more riding on training camp than Will Howard. The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason selling the rookie as a starting quarterback, but the reality of roster construction could force a difficult decision. Unless Howard proves he’s worthy of a 53-man roster spot, Pittsburgh may have no choice but to keep veteran Mason Rudolph instead.

Head coach Mike McCarthy gave an update on his progress so far.

“I can only comment on what I’ve seen, and I think Will has done everything we’ve asked,” McCarthy said in a transcript provided by the team. “Football comes [naturally] to Will. The mental part of it, he’s a sponge. He’s got the sponge mental makeup that you look for. He’s a very instinctive player. Has an extremely athletic lower half, so the footwork has come pretty seamlessly to him. So I think he’s on a really, really good path right now.”

Howard took reps with the second-team offense throughout the entire spring. But a sudden change at training camp in favor of Rudolph raised questions about Howard’s future. With four quarterbacks needing reps, would Howard have enough of a chance to prove himself as the top backup and cement his place on the 53-man roster?

McCarthy has showered Howard with praise since his first press conference as Pittsburgh’s new head coach. That only continued throughout the spring, when he remarked Howard would “definitely be a starter” in the NFL someday.

Starter doesn’t necessarily mean franchise quarterback, but it’s still high praise from one of the league’s highest-regarded quarterback whisperers.

Aaron Rodgers will be on a rep count as training camp continues, which should provide plenty of opportunities for Howard to rotate with Rudolph on the first-team offense. The real test will come in less than two weeks when they get their first preseason live action against another team.

Is it really a win-or-go-home competition between Howard and Rudolph for the top backup spot? Or could they color outside the box and decide to keep four quarterbacks? McCarthy left that possibility open.

Keeping four quarterbacks or not, it would be completely shocking if McCarthy cuts Howard loose after consistently praising him every step of the way.