Steelers QB Will Howard Gets Hit With Unintentional Shade

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue assessing whether second-year quarterback Will Howard can develop into a reliable contributor beyond developmental status.

His first complete preseason offers the chance for concrete evaluation after an uneven start to training camp.

Howard has shown the ability to deliver standout passes at times. Yet those moments have not occurred with the regularity needed to settle questions about his overall readiness.

The 6-foot-4 signal-caller possesses the frame to survey the field from the pocket and the mobility to extend plays when protection collapses. He also displays the willingness to challenge tight coverage windows when his footing remains solid and the progression is clear.

Still, a quarterback seeking a significant role cannot rely on occasional clean deliveries in practice sessions alone.

The organization seeks steady technique, precise ball placement and reliable decision-making across full periods that translate into exhibition contests.

Veteran Steelers observer Jim Wexell recently reviewed Howard’s early camp performances and noted the mix of highlights and inconsistency that prevents a definitive judgment.

“The arm is good enough, just as Kenny Pickett’s arm was good enough,” Wexell said. “It’s not bad. It might not be weaker than Mason’s.”

That reference to the former Steelers first-rounder in Pickett does not forecast an identical career trajectory for Howard. It instead frames his physical tools in realistic terms rather than elite ones.

Howard lacks the natural zip of the NFL’s strongest-armed passers, according to the assessment, yet possesses sufficient talent to operate a professional offense. The description “good enough” leaves scant margin for delayed decisions or imperfect mechanics.

Passers with superior velocity sometimes salvage late reads or throws launched without a stable base. Howard must process information and release the ball on schedule, or closing defenders will eliminate windows that open only briefly.

Pittsburgh selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft after his leadership, athleticism and national title run at Ohio State stood out. Scouts still wondered whether his velocity would prove adequate when driving the ball outside the numbers or into congested areas.

Howard has concentrated on addressing those concerns this offseason. He has focused on planting his feet firmly and generating power through his full body rather than relying solely on arm strength.

Coach Mike McCarthy has emphasized precise footwork, assigning names to each step in the drop so Howard understands exact positioning when routes develop. That attention should promote more consistent velocity when the play stays on schedule.

A balanced drop allows Howard to reach the top of his progression, locate the proper target and deliver before coverage tightens. Rushed or disconnected feet quickly affect both accuracy and pace. Howard also must distinguish himself from veteran Mason Rudolph, who brings game experience and past success with the franchise, and rookie Drew Allar, who entered the league with the strongest pure arm among the younger options.

A hand injury cost Howard his entire 2025 preseason, delaying any live-game evaluation until the regular season was underway. Controlled practice work after his return could not fully test responses to a live pass rush, unfamiliar defenses or the demands of directing complete drives.

Howard does not need to out-arm every quarterback on the roster. He must demonstrate that adequate arm strength combined with timing, anticipation and dependable technique produces consistent results.

Preseason action should clarify that picture more effectively than isolated practice highlights. Evaluators will focus on intermediate throws from the far hash mark, where velocity and anticipation matter most, along with ball placement on second reads or after pressure forces a reset.

Consistency ultimately will decide whether the Pickett comparison proves encouraging or cautionary. Pickett’s arm could make necessary NFL throws, yet physical sufficiency alone failed to produce a steady offense. Howard must show that his processing speed, pocket presence and mechanics can maximize an arm unlikely ever labeled exceptional.

The Steelers have grounds for patience as Howard enters only his second season following an interrupted rookie development period. McCarthy now has a complete camp to refine the quarterback’s movement and determine whether isolated bright spots can become reliable production.

Howard’s strongest throws reveal potential.His inconsistent stretches explain why the competition for a roster role remains unsettled. The arm talent may suffice, yet the Steelers still require proof that the player employing it can perform with the steadiness needed for a lasting contribution.