Steelers' locker room reportedly has big preference for team's starting quarterback in 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again facing the question of who will lead the team at the quarterback position next season. After 42-year old Aaron Rodgers guided Pittsburgh to an AFC North title in 2025, it’s still unknown whether he’ll return for another year or hang up his cleats, leaving the team in a state of uncertainty. There are some potentially short-term possibilities via free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, but some think Pittsburgh's next quarterback is already on the roster, and one analyst even says the locker room is behind that idea.

The Steelers drafted Will Howard with the 185th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard led Ohio State to a national championship in 2024, and many fans and media members were thrilled that he fell to Pittsburgh in the sixth round. 

A hand injury kept Howard sidelined during the 2025 preseason, and he spent the entire regular season as the team's emergency third string quarterback, therefore not receiving a single snap for the entirety of his rookie year. Despite the setback, there is still belief that given Howard's potential and the current state of the team's quarterback situation, he could get a shot as the team's starter in 2026. 

This comes on the heels of new head coach Mike McCarthy openly expressing his excitement about working with Howard. McCarthy’s enthusiasm suggests that he sees real potential in the young quarterback, and it seems he isn’t the only one backing Howard’s future as the starter. 

During a recent appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah highlighted that many players in the Steelers’ locker room are also supportive of Howard taking the reins of the offense in 2026. 

“There is some love and support in that building for Will Howard. Not just amongst guys who have been there from a coaching standpoint, but from a player standpoint. There’s a lot of guys on that team that like him," Jeremiah said. "The guy won a national championship. He's big, he's strong, he can move around a little bit. He is someone that I think they would at least like to see what they have there."

Giving Howard the starting job in 2026 makes a lot of sense for the Steelers, but it also comes with significant risks. The pressure of leading an NFL offense is immense, especially for a high-profile franchise like Pittsburgh, and Howard hasn’t even taken a professional snap yet. On top of that, the Steelers may not be fully ready to compete for a championship, especially following the departure of Mike Tomlin signaling the start of something closer to a rebuild.

In that context, expectations for Howard shouldn’t be sky-high. This is a chance for him to gain experience, learn the ropes and grow into the role. If he performs at a high level, the Steelers may have found their next franchise quarterback. If not, the team can reassess and potentially look to the 2027 NFL Draft for the answer. Either way, it’s a low-pressure opportunity to develop a cornerstone of the franchise without jeopardizing the team’s long-term plan.

Steelers do have other quarterback options not named Will Howard or Aaron Rodgers

If Rodgers indeed decides to retire, and if the Steelers aren't ready to give Howard the keys right away, there are other options for 2026. Mason Rudolph has spent five of his six years in the NFL with the Steelers, and he has been a serviceable backup, leading Pittsburgh to an 8-5-1 record in his 14 starts with the black and gold. 

Malik Willis is arguably the biggest free agent quarterback available this offseason. Willis has spent the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers after starting his career with the Tennessee Titans. Willis displays a strong arm and an athletic ability that the Steelers haven't had at the quarterback position in quite some time. 

Kyler Murray is another veteran who the Steelers could kick the tires with, however, it would take a trade to do so. Murray signed a $230.5M contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals just a few seasons ago, keeping him in the desert through the 2028 season. But after a lackluster 2025 campaign, Murray will likely be playing for a new team in 2026.