Steelers’ QB Room Heating Up: Will Howard Drawing Big Praise from NFL Voices
There’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback situation heading into 2026, and second-year signal-caller Will Howard is right in the middle of it. The young quarterback hasn’t logged a regular-season snap yet, but that hasn’t stopped some major names around the league from backing him as a potential future starter - or even more.
On a recent episode of The Rush podcast, All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby didn’t hold back when talking about Howard’s upside. While discussing the quarterback depth chart - and the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning for another season - Crosby made it clear he’s a believer in Howard’s long-term potential.
“I’m a Will Howard believer. I’m not going to lie, I think he’s a hell of a player,” Crosby said. “If Rodgers gets another year, and you give Howard two years to sit and learn, then let him go and be the guy - I think that’s the move.”
That’s high praise from one of the league’s most disruptive defenders, and it’s not just Crosby who’s on the Howard bandwagon.
New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who’s worked with a who’s who of NFL quarterbacks over the years - from Joe Montana to Dak Prescott - is already showing signs of excitement about developing Howard. And McCarthy isn’t one to throw around compliments lightly when it comes to young quarterbacks.
“I’m really excited about Will Howard,” McCarthy said. “I think he’s someone that really came on at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him.”
McCarthy also emphasized that, while a return from Rodgers would be welcomed, he’s equally eager to get to work with Howard and Mason Rudolph, signaling that Pittsburgh’s QB room is going to be a focal point heading into training camp.
And then there’s Ben Roethlisberger - a man who knows a thing or two about what it takes to play quarterback in Pittsburgh. On his Footbahlin podcast, the former Steelers star offered a strong endorsement of Howard, particularly if Rodgers doesn’t return in 2026.
“If Aaron’s not in the scenario, I would go with Will Howard this year,” Roethlisberger said, while also suggesting the team bring in a veteran presence to support the young QB.
Roethlisberger didn’t just stop at strategy. He went deep on what makes Howard a fit for the city and the franchise.
“I love his heart, his fire - I think he is Pittsburgh,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s tough, he’s gritty, he’s going to get you what you want.”
And while Big Ben was careful not to overhype Howard as the next all-time great, he did leave the door open for something special.
“Do I think Will Howard is a top-10 quarterback of all time, like by the time he’s done? Maybe, probably not.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a top-five guy in the league for numerous years. Or top-10 guy.
And that guy can get you Super Bowls.”
That’s not just a compliment - that’s a challenge. And it’s one Howard is likely ready to embrace.
The Steelers reinstated Howard from injured reserve on November 12, after he returned to practice on October 23. The team had a 21-day window to activate him, or he would’ve been forced to sit out the rest of the season. He originally landed on IR after suffering a broken right pinky finger during training camp - an injury that sidelined him for the entire preseason.
Howard, a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State in the 2025 NFL Draft, was active for just one game in 2025 - Week 12 against the Chicago Bears - where he backed up Mason Rudolph but didn’t see the field.
So while the stat sheet is still blank, the buzz around Howard is anything but. Between praise from a Pro Bowl pass rusher, the backing of a Super Bowl-winning head coach, and the seal of approval from a Steelers legend, the groundwork is being laid for something bigger.
For now, Howard remains a name to watch - not just as a developmental prospect, but as a potential future face of the franchise. The Steelers’ quarterback room is crowded, but if Howard lives up to the belief others have in him, it won’t be for long.