Steelers evaluate Will Howard as QB2

Will Howard’s place in the Steelers’ quarterback room is one of the more specific questions facing Pittsburgh this spring. Steelers Wire reported on May 21 that the team is using offseason reps to get a clearer look at Howard as the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers. The evaluation comes as the Steelers sort through a four-man group that also includes Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar. The work will continue through organized team activities and minicamp over the next three weeks. ### Where does Howard fit in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room right now? Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Pittsburgh has four quarterbacks “that we love,” according to NFL.com, naming Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard and Allar. McCarthy said he hoped the club could keep developing the room as it moves through the offseason program. Steelers Wire reported that Howard is getting the kind of backup reps that give the staff a direct look at him behind Rodgers. The outlet framed those snaps as a meaningful evaluation window while Allar continues his own development this offseason. ### Why is Howard getting attention now? (nfl.com) Aaron Rodgers is back atop the depth chart for 2026, and that has shifted the immediate competition behind him. With Rodgers handling the starter’s role, the spring practices give Pittsburgh a controlled setting to sort through the next layer of quarterbacks before training camp. Will Howard is in his second year with the team after Pittsburgh selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No. 185 overall pick. (steelerswire.usatoday.com) The Steelers’ official draft page says Howard started all 16 games for Ohio State and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship before entering the NFL. ### How crowded is this competition behind Rodgers? Mason Rudolph remains part of the mix as the veteran in the room, while Drew Allar gives Pittsburgh another younger option to develop. (nfl.com) NFL.com’s account of McCarthy’s remarks made clear the Steelers are treating the room as a four-quarterback competition rather than a settled hierarchy beyond Rodgers. (steelers.com) Steelers Wire’s report pointed more narrowly to Howard’s current opportunity. Its focus was not on a final depth-chart decision in May, but on the value of using live offseason work to measure Howard’s progress against the other options on hand. ### What exactly will the Steelers use to evaluate him? (nfl.com) The Steelers’ offseason calendar gives the coaching staff several remaining on-field checkpoints. Steelers.com said the team’s OTAs began on May 18 and run through June 12. The club’s mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 2-4. Those sessions matter because OTAs and minicamp are the next formal settings for quarterback work before training camp. (steelerswire.usatoday.com) Steelers Wire said Howard’s performance during those practices will be watched this spring and early summer as Pittsburgh continues to sort out the backup picture. (steelers.com) ### What comes next for Howard after these spring practices? June 2 is the next major date on Pittsburgh’s quarterback calendar, when the Steelers open mandatory minicamp. The spring program then continues through the final OTA on June 12, according to the team’s published schedule. Training camp will provide the next longer evaluation period after that. (steelerswire.usatoday.com) Yahoo Sports reported on May 22 that Pittsburgh has announced its 2026 training camp schedule, giving the club another extended set of practices to continue shaping the quarterback depth chart behind Rodgers. (sports.yahoo.com) (steelers.com)