Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback Will Howard has received a big update before NFL training camp.
The Pittsburgh Steelers know who their starting quarterback will be entering the 2026 NFL season. Aaron Rodgers is back for one more season before riding off into the sunset of retirement.
However, behind the future Hall of Fame quarterback, there is a battle for the backup job. There are currently three signal callers battling for the primary backup job behind Rodgers.
Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and Drew Allar are all options for Mike McCarthy to consider. The coaching staff will have a difficult decision coming up about who will take the job and who lands the No. 3 spot on the roster. One of the three quarterbacks will likely be looking for a job elsewhere.
With that being said, Howard has received a big update ahead of NFL training camp.
According to a report from beat writer Ray Fittipaldo, Howard currently holds pole position to win the primary backup quarterback job for Pittsburgh.
"If I had to place odds on it, I think Will Howard is in pole position, so to speak," Fittipaldo said. "I think he had a good spring, but I don't think he's earned the job just yet. The preseason game's gonna be huge for him."
Originally drafted out of Ohio State with the No. 185 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Steelers, Howard sat out his entire rookie season. He dealt with nagging injury issues, but was never expected to play over Rodgers or Rudolph.
During his final college season with the Buckeyes, Howard led Ohio State to a National Championship win. He completed 73.1 percent of his pass attempts for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also running for 226 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the outside looking in, Howard seems to have the potential to be an NFL quarterback. There are some who have suggested that he could be a long-term starting option for Pittsburgh. All of that will start with earning the backup role this year.
Most outside opinions have suggested that the Steelers are likely to keep Howard and Allar on the roster behind Rodgers. Rudolph seems to be the most likely cut or trade candidate at this point in time.
Even team legend Ben Roethlisberger has urged the team to cut Rudolph rather than either of the two young quarterbacks.
Only time will tell what the outcome of the backup quarterback battle ends up being. But, for now, this update is great news for Howard.
Expect to hear more on Pittsburgh's quarterback situation as training camp and preseason action proceed. Behind Rodgers, everything is on the line for the three players battling for roster spots.
