Adam Schefter reveals how Steelers truly feel about Will Howard amid Aaron Rodgers uncertainty

Since the end of the 2025 NFL season, conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether or not Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan and recently hired head coach Mike McCarthy truly believe 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard can become a long-term franchise quarterback for the organization. 

During Tuesday's edition of the ESPN "Get Up" program, NFL insider Adam Schefter touched upon how the Steelers may react if 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers doesn't return to serve as the club's starting signal-caller for another season. 

How much do Steelers really believe in Will Howard?

"I think they believe that they have a quarterback prospect in Will Howard," Schefter said about the Steelers, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "It's hard to bank your whole season on a quarterback we haven't seen play in the regular season, but they believe they have something in Will Howard, and they believe Mike McCarthy's strength is developing good, young, smart quarterbacks."

Schefter was referencing how Howard suffered a hand injury during training camp last summer and then spent his entire rookie season as an unused spectator behind Rodgers and longtime backup Mason Rudolph. A Monday report indicated that Howard and Rudolph could compete for the Pittsburgh QB1 gig this summer if Rodgers doesn't run it back with the Steelers for whatever reason. However, it has since been suggested that Pittsburgh could reach out to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins after Cousins officially becomes available at some point this week. 

Why Steelers aren't "rushed" for Aaron Rodgers to confirm plans for 2026

"I'm just telling you what they think," Schefter added about how the Steelers allegedly see Howard. "It doesn't mean they wouldn't add another quarterback. But they're hoping Rodgers comes back, and if he doesn't, they would then be prepared to have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster. It's the reason that I think they don't feel rushed and compelled to go out and add anybody right now." 

The Steelers reportedly will learn "sooner rather than later" if Rodgers will for sure sign another one-year deal with the club. Assuming Schefter is right, it seems that Howard's supposed improvement from last year is one reason Khan and Co. aren't pushing Rodgers to confirm his plans before the new league year opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.