The Steelers appear to have already settled one part of their quarterback puzzle.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac during an appearance on DVE’s pre-game show, Pittsburgh has decided to keep Will Howard on the roster before it plays its second preseason game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium.
"It's a question of whether they wanna keep four or three," Dulac said. "But I will tell you, they have already decided they are keeping their two young quarterbacks, Will Howard and Drew Allar."
If that plan holds, Howard won’t have to sweat the kind of roster squeeze that can come with carrying extra quarterbacks. Even if he loses the backup job to Mason Rudolph, he would not be the one on the outside looking in.
That should give the 2025 sixth-round pick a little breathing room as he tries to push for the No. 2 spot. It also gives him a chance to play with more freedom while the Steelers sort through the rest of the quarterback room.
Howard has work to do, though. The 24-year-old is still trying to close the gap on Rudolph while also showing he can be part of Pittsburgh’s long-term answer at quarterback.
He opened the preseason well against the Green Bay Packers, finishing with 86 passing yards and going 7 of 9 through the air.
Now he gets another shot to build on that showing with a start against the Jets. For Howard, the goal is simple: keep stacking good days as he continues to grow in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
If he doesn’t, the risk is clear. Howard could settle into the backup role’s shadows and spend game days inactive in his second NFL season.
Rudolph, meanwhile, won’t play against the Jets after McCarthy said he "saw what he needed to" from the 31-year-old against Green Bay. That only strengthens the case that Rudolph has the edge for the backup spot behind Aaron Rodgers.
Even with Howard seemingly safe on the 53-man roster, Rudolph still feels like the more likely quarterback to stay if Pittsburgh keeps all four. Dulac said a trade would probably be the only way that changes.
"I can't imagine them not keeping Mason Rudolph," Dulac said. "I just can't in any situation. But I guess that's something they still have to sort out."
For now, the Steelers seem attached to Rudolph and increasingly settled on Howard’s place, too. The final shape of the quarterback room may still need a little sorting out, but Howard’s roster spot now looks secure.
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