The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun their 2026 offseason program without veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 4-time MVP remains undecided about his playing status. But despite the negative backlash the team has received for not getting a Rodgers answer before the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a positive to Rodgers’s current absence — more offseason repetitions for Will Howard.
Steelers first-year head coach Mike McCarthy stressed that to reporters during his pre-draft press conference Tuesday.
“What I’ve learned through instituting an offseason program, there are benefits of periods where your veterans aren’t here. We’re talking about the quarterback position,” said McCarthy. “So, this is a very beneficial time for Will [Howard] and Mason [Rudolph] right now. They split all the reps today and the last two days, and that’s just great work.
“When you see it improve from one day to the next, that’s what you’re looking for.”
It’s still very early in Pittsburgh’s 2026 offseason program. The Steelers have only spent two days on the field.
But McCarthy already sees the difference in Howard since he first became the team’s head coach about three months ago.
“I know just meeting with him in January compared to today, he’s had a really good offseason before the offseason. He’s in much better shape,” added McCarthy. “Obviously, I’ve been very impressed with his movement skills.
“We’re just two days into the footwork drills, which we’ve been allowed to do that last two days, and I’ve been impressed.”
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy Speaks out on Will Howard’s Offseason
GettyWill Howard is getting valuable reps to begin this offseason with Aaron Rodgers at not the Pittsburgh Steelers facility.
With uncertainty surrounding Rodgers, Howard’s progress is an underrated story around the Steelers entering the 2026 NFL Draft.
He still appears to be a long shot to start this fall. Rodgers remains the favorite to come back for another season. The Steelers also have veteran Mason Rudolph on the quarterback depth chart.
But Howard is the best current option the Steelers have at finding a long-term solution behind center.
The more opportunities he gets for improvement, the better for the entire organization.
“We’re just trying to get him as many reps as possible,” said McCarthy. “Just the drill work is critical because the drill work leads into the routes on air and the individual routes.
“Yeah, we’re competing to get better. That’s really what the competition is right now.”
Both Howard and Rudolph are getting valuable opportunities to begin the team’s offseason workouts. McCarthy stressed those repetitions aren’t just plays on the field but also “the opportunity to command the huddle” and be “the guy” behind center.
Will the Steelers Select a Quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft?
GettyPittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy shared the progress quarterback Will Howard has made early in offseason workouts.
Steelers president Art Rooney II essentially ruled out the possibility of the team selecting a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. In all likelihood, that means the team won’t be grabbing Alabama’s Ty Simpson.
Most pundits have ranked Simpson behind Fernando Mendoza as the No. 2 signal-caller in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
But a Day 2 or 3 quarterback selection is on the table for the Steelers.
The team hosted quarterbacks Carson Beck, Cole Payton, Taylen Green and Drew Allar.. The Steelers reportedly also wanted to have Garrett Nussmeier come to Pittsburgh for a visit, but the trip didn’t work with his pre-draft schedule.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked those five quarterbacks inside his top seven signal-callers in the 2026 class.
Even if Rodgers remains unsigned or doesn’t return at all, Howard could have new competition in the Steelers quarterback room.
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