Steelers Veteran Could Make Roster Over Rookie Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers' roster decisions as it pertains to the quarterback position appeared rather clear for the majority of training camp, but a few recent developments have muddied the waters.

While appearing on the "North Shore Drive" podcast, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo stated that Skylar Thompson's performance in the Steelers' first two preseason games may have given him the edge over Will Howard, who is dealing with a hand injury, for the final quarterback spot.

"Yea, Skylar's kind of forced their decision here," Fittipaldo said. "They honestly do have a very tough decision to make here. They can evaluate the practices, but you and I both know Mike Tomlin puts more weight on these preseason games. And when you don't have anything to go by there, that's advantage Skylar Thompson."

Thompson was the clear QB No. 4 for a majority of the offseason, and while he took some third-team reps during camp, there wasn't much of a path for him to usurp Howard and secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

Howard, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, was a standout performer during the spring and made his mark as camp went on, further drumming up the hype surrounding him.

The 23-year-old hit a snag upon fracturing a bone in his right hand on an exchange from the center on August 5, however, sidelining him ever since.

Thompson was handed an enhanced role as a result, and he hasn't looked back. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 9, he went 20-for-28 with 233 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.