Will Howard

Steelers insiders believe Aaron Rodgers will return to the team this offseason, potentially remaining the starting QB unless he decides to fully retire. If Rodgers re-signs, Howard remains a pure backup for another year with minimal path to starts.

Howard has yet to even take a preseason snap in his NFL career after getting drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He took just 93 training camp team reps before a broken bone in his hand caused him to miss the entire preseason and spent the first half of the regular season on injured reserve.

Howard has never played an NFL snap—not even preseason—after a hand fracture during 2025 training camp sidelined him for his entire rookie year. Starting a QB with zero pro experience is rare for sixth-round picks.

Multiple reports indicate odds are increasing that Aaron Rodgers returns for 2026, with Terry Bradshaw suggesting Rodgers told McCarthy he'd come back. This would relegate Howard to backup duties with minimal pathway to starts.

Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned but was tendered as a UFA, and Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan has described ongoing 'positive discussions.' If Rodgers re-signs, Howard reverts to backup with no dynasty value in 2026.

Aaron Rodgers re-signed a one-year deal and is locked in as the 2026 QB1, relegating Howard to backup duty with no clear path to starts this season barring a Rodgers injury.

New head coach Mike McCarthy said he is "really excited" about Howard, calling him someone who "really came on there at Ohio State". During Super Bowl LX coverage, NFL insider revealed Howard is viewed as the Steelers' long-term plan at QB, with McCarthy wanting to work with him.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah highlighted that many players in the Steelers' locker room are supportive of Howard taking the reins in 2026, with there being "a lot of guys on that team that like him".

Howard could be thrust into a starting competition if Rodgers doesn't return in 2026. If Rodgers returns, Howard will get quality reps as a backup as opposed to being scout team QB.

New HC Mike McCarthy is 'really excited' about Howard and 'anxious to work with him.' NFL insider Judy Battista reported during Super Bowl LX that Howard is viewed as the Steelers' long-term plan at QB.

With Rodgers absent from voluntary minicamp, Howard has been taking first-team reps and building chemistry with DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and the rest of the skill-position group — a meaningful head start if Rodgers does not return.

If Rodgers does not re-sign, Howard enters training camp as the clear frontrunner with a full year of system knowledge and explicit coach's trust from Mike McCarthy. He publicly stated 'I can be the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh' and has locker-room backing from veterans like Joey Porter Jr.