Steelers' Mike McCarthy seems to confirm Will Howard decision after preseason finale

As noted by Alex Kozora of the Steelers Depot website, three different Pittsburgh Steelers insiders said during the team's official radio pregame show ahead of the Steelers' preseason finale at the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night that first-year Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy had already decided to carry four active quarterbacks on his Week 1 active roster. 

After the Steelers' 28-27 loss, McCarthy was asked whether Howard and veteran backup Mason Rudolph had earned roster spots along with starter Aaron Rodgers and 2026 third-round draft pick Drew Allar. Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN, McCarthy said that is "a very accurate evaluation."

Mike McCarthy feels "good" about the Steelers' current quarterback room

"I feel good about the quarterback room," McCarthy said. "I've been saying it for quite some time, and they've showed it on the field. We got two veterans that we can win with, and we got two young guys that we're excited about the future."

It was predicted before the Steelers' pregame radio show kicked off on Thursday that McCarthy planned to find a way to stash both Rudolph and Howard on the roster. The fact that Rudolph attempted zero passes against the Bills and against the New York Jets on Aug. 21 indicates that he has had the QB2 job locked up since before the Jets game. 

Neither Rodgers nor Allar is going anywhere, and Howard did nothing to lose his roster spot on Thursday. Against the Bills, Howard completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and three sacks taken. 

Steelers may be able to punt Will Howard decision down the road

As Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk shared, Howard was unavailable for his postgame interviews on Thursday night because he was being evaluated for a head injury. The Steelers theoretically could have him start the season on injured reserve if he is diagnosed with a concussion, which could give McCarthy and Co. options regarding the rest of the depth chart before rosters have to be cut down to 53 players this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET. 

Regardless of Howard's health, it seems like he and Rudolph will both be Pittsburgh players when the club opens the regular season with a home game versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.