Ex-NFL GM Thinks Steelers May Have A Legitimate QB Battle Brewing: 'A New Name'

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback uncertainty has really started to wane on the fan base. The lack of clarity heading into the summer has drained much of the early offseason excitement, and fans are clearly feeling disconnected. While Steeler Nation is known for its passion and loyalty, that energy feels muted this time around. There is a sense of impatience building as the team struggles to inspire confidence with its current quarterback situation.

Naturally, the fan base is always going to be overly invested in this team, but the level of engagement varies depending on the circumstances. Right now, many fans seem frustrated and skeptical about the ongoing Aaron Rodgers saga. 

The Steelers reportedly have an offer in place for Rodgers, and signs continue to point toward him joining the team in 2025. Until then, Mason Rudolph is in line to start, with Will Howard and Skylar Thompson expected to compete for the backup role. That outlook has left fans feeling underwhelmed as the summer begins.

On Monday, a new idea emerged regarding the possibility of the Steelers going in a different direction with Howard. Former NFL General Manager Mike Tannenbaum shared his thoughts during an appearance on the ESPN Radio show Unsportsmanlike. 

He suggested the Steelers should consider building their offense around Howard’s mobility and potential rather than leaning on Rudolph. or waiting on Rodgers. It is a concept that has sparked conversation, especially among fans looking for a reason to feel hopeful about the team’s direction in leading into the 2025 season.

"I think a new name we should really start talking about is Will Howard. Is there something about the Steelers that they think about Will Howard, who, but for a pretty bad workout at the Combine may have been a top three-round pick?" Tannenbaum said. "But the Steelers have made a lot more [good] decisions than bad ones, guys. And if you look at Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and the years of continuity they've had in those respective offenses, as great as Aaron Rodgers once was, he's gonna be 42 in December."

This theory is intriguing, especially considering Howard was a sixth-round pick. It’s a bold sentiment to suggest he could be the answer, given how rare it is for quarterbacks drafted that late to become reliable starters. 

In a league that is constantly searching for quarterback talent, a player slipping that far typically raises red flags.

"Like, are we better off with a young Will Howard that has everything in front of him that'll be [chomping] at the bit? So, to me, the Aaron Rodgers thing, like what are we really getting now at the end of the day?" Tannenbaum asked.

Still, Tannenbaum sees potential in Howard’s skill set and believes the Steelers may benefit from giving him a real shot to compete. Based on the team’s current decisions and lack of a clear long-term option, he suggests that letting Howard go head-to-head with Rudolph might be Pittsburgh’s smartest move.

While it's far from a conventional approach, the idea reflects just how uncertain and wide open the Steelers' quarterback situation has become. At the very least, it would give the team a chance to evaluate Howard under pressure and see if they may have found a hidden gem.

Steelers' Will Howard Gaining Lots Of Hype From The Fan Base

Howard has generated far more hype than most sixth-round picks, and it's no secret why. He’s extremely confident and possesses many of the traits teams look for in a quarterback—from his love of the game and relentless drive to improve, to his strong football IQ, self-belief, and natural leadership abilities.

Much of the excitement around Howard also stems from his standout performance during the 2024 college football season at Ohio State, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship. While many pundits dismissed his chances of becoming an NFL starter based on his draft position, Howard is determined to prove them wrong. If given the opportunity, he’s going to go down swinging in pursuit of his dream to become a reliable NFL quarterback.