Will Howard’s preseason has created an issue the Pittsburgh Steelers could not have anticipated: he could have performed effectively sufficient to make himself unimaginable to cover.
The rookie’s uneven outing towards the New York Jets did little to strengthen his case for the No. 2 job behind Aaron Rodgers, nonetheless, in keeping with the previous Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, that doesn’t imply they’ll merely stash Howard on the follow squad but when the Steelers strive, one other group might make the choice for them.
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Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard warms up for a sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Barry Reeger-Imagn Pictures
Howard entered the preseason with lots to show after the Steelers drafted him within the sixth spherical. Drew Allar’s spectacular preseason debut has sophisticated that image, whereas Mason Rudolph stays the skilled choice behind Rodgers. That leaves Mike McCarthy with a roster determination that might get uncomfortable rapidly.
“I simply do not, due to the play that he put on the market. And possibly one other group that had him evaluated larger a season in the past. When you have a needy group, then I simply do not see how Will Howard is ready to sneak to the follow squad.”
Howard threw two interceptions towards the Jets, failing to capitalize on his alternative to create separation within the QB competitors. Nonetheless, Batch believes the Steelers must look past one tough efficiency when deciding Howard’s roster standing. The larger problem is what occurs if the Steelers expose him to waivers. Batch doesn’t imagine Howard would make it by way of.
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That’s the catch for the Steelers. Howard is probably not able to take over as Rodgers’ backup, besides that his youth, bodily instruments, and upside might make him engaging to a quarterback-needy group. The Steelers would then have to decide on between carrying 4 QBs or playing that Howard clears waivers.
Neither choice is especially clear. Conserving Howard, Allar, Rudolph, and Rodgers on the 53-man roster would price Pittsburgh a spot elsewhere. Slicing Howard might imply watching one other group develop a younger quarterback that the Steelers simply drafted.
And Allar’s emergence makes the state of affairs much more fascinating. The previous Penn State star has proven sufficient to make the Steelers imagine they’ve one other developmental quarterback value defending. That would go away Rudolph as the plain short-term No. 2 whereas the group develops each rookies behind him.
Batch believes that’s precisely why the Steelers could finally don’t have any selection however to maintain all 4. The preseason finale will present one closing analysis; nonetheless, Pittsburgh’s signal-caller determination is now not merely about who deserves the backup job.
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The submit Charlie Batch Reveals Why Steelers Could Not Be In a position to Sneak Will Howard Onto Observe Squad appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
