The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason depth chart is out, and one of the clearest nuggets from it comes at quarterback: Will Howard is listed ahead of Drew Allar.
Howard, who is still battling Mason Rudolph for the backup job, shows up as the third-team quarterback. Allar, the rookie third-round pick, is behind him on the initial chart.
That placement doesn’t come out of nowhere. The expectation going into camp was that Allar would treat 2026 as something of a redshirt season, using that year to clean up the rough edges in his game before making a bigger push in 2027, possibly alongside a rookie.
Even so, the early camp buzz has painted a different picture on the field. By most accounts, Howard has been outperformed by Allar during Pittsburgh’s time in Latrobe so far, which could make for some interesting decisions later on.
Allar is still a work in progress, and the growing pains figures to continue as he develops in Mike McCarthy’s offense. But he has also shown real progress since arriving in Pittsburgh, and his arm talent is hard to miss.
He’s already turned in several eye-catching throws at Saint Vincent College, and he’ll get another chance to build on that once the preseason opens next week.
That’s when the pressure ramps up for both quarterbacks, especially Howard. He hasn’t taken a snap against an opposing defense as a professional yet, which makes the upcoming games a major checkpoint for him.
Howard’s path hasn’t exactly been smooth. A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, he suffered a hand injury in training camp last year and spent time on the reserve/injured list through Week 11. He never appeared in a regular-season game as a rookie, which left him with a tricky developmental situation heading into 2026.
Pittsburgh’s new coaching staff has reportedly been encouraged by what it has seen from Howard, and Rudolph still has the edge in the competition. But Howard remains a live option because of his youth, his upside and the extra two years he has left on his contract.
At the same time, he has to show more to stay in the mix. Being listed ahead of Allar on the first depth chart is one thing; holding that spot is another.
Howard has not been a disaster, but there is room for improvement. The same goes for Allar, though the expectations on him have been lower, and there is a strong case that he has actually looked better than Pittsburgh’s other young quarterback so far.
The battle is still in its early stages, and those kinds of races can swing quickly in camp. For Howard, the message is simple: he can’t afford to lose any more ground and needs to start moving forward.
In Other News...
Rich Rod Leaves Door Open On A WVU Roster Decision
West Virginias roster picture remains in a holding pattern as the Mountaineers sort through the possibility of adding players with fifth-year eligibility. Rich Rodriguez said the program is not bringing anyone in at the moment, even as there have been discussions about potential returns, and he made clear that no one already on the roster is being pushed out to create space.
The pause leaves a familiar kind of offseason uncertainty around Morgantown, with the final say tied to NCAA decisions that are still pending. Cornerback Jordan Scruggs has shown interest in coming back, but for now the matter is unresolved, which leaves WVU waiting on both the paperwork and the next move. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Browns Rise Could Change West Virginia Up Front
Kevin Brown arrived in Morgantown with the kind of recruiting profile that already had people talking, and he has only added to that buzz since showing up in the spring. The freshman offensive lineman has quickly emerged as a name to watch up front, with West Virginia projecting him as the starting left tackle for the 2026 season as he continues to settle in and develop.
Malik Agbo gives the Mountaineers a veteran option at the same spot, which adds an interesting layer to the picture as Brown keeps pushing forward. For a program that wants stability on the line, Browns rise gives West Virginia a potentially important long-term answer, but it also leaves a familiar spring and summer question hanging over the group as camp approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Harper Holloman Could Be The Pass Rusher West Virginia Needed
Spring practice has given West Virginia a clearer sense of where Harper Holloman fits, and the transfer from Western Kentucky has quickly moved into a prominent spot on the edge. He may not have posted eye-catching sack or tackle totals, but his pressure and quarterback hurry production has stood out enough to make him the most consistent pass rusher on the field.
Coaches and analysts alike have taken notice because that kind of disruption changes how offenses have to plan for him. Hollomans presence already forces attention from opposing blockers, and the bigger question now is how much more he can do once the games count and the opportunities start piling up in the fall. [Read more 🡒]