The Pittsburgh Steelers emerged from their mandatory minicamp with several intriguing competitions taking shape across the roster. Veterans are battling to hold onto their roles, while younger talents are pushing hard to earn significant opportunities. Among all the uncertainties, the quarterback position stands out as one of the most closely watched storylines heading into the summer.
For many observers, second-year quarterback Will Howard appears well-positioned to claim the backup spot behind the starter. His strong showing throughout the offseason has built considerable momentum. However, a recent roster projection from veteran reporter Mark Kaboly has introduced fresh doubt into that narrative.
Kaboly, appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, shared his early 53-man roster forecast, offering a detailed look at how he sees the crowded quarterback room unfolding. In his view, veteran Mason Rudolph secures a place on the final roster, while the team attempts to keep Howard on the practice squad.
This outlook might catch some fans off guard, especially given the positive feedback Howard has earned since the arrival of the new coaching staff. Head coach Mike McCarthy highlighted the young passer during his introductory remarks, setting an optimistic tone for his development. Yet Kaboly’s analysis points to practical roster realities that could sideline Howard despite the early buzz.
The key factor, according to Kaboly, revolves around the team’s reluctance to carry four quarterbacks on the active roster. He explained the thinking this way.
“The Steelers don’t seem very interested in doing that. McCarthy has never done that in his 18 years as a head coach. Regardless of what happens in the preseason, Rudolph and Allar slot in at QB2 and QB3, with Howard the odd man out,” Kaboly said.
Experience gives Rudolph a clear edge in this projection. As a proven NFL backup, he offers reliability and familiarity with the system.
While Howard brings exciting long-term potential, he still has much to prove at the professional level. The organization values stability in the backup role, especially behind a high-profile starter like Aaron Rodgers.
Adding another layer is the presence of Drew Allar, whom the Steelers selected with a Day 2 draft pick. McCarthy personally endorsed Allar as part of his vision for the future of the position group. Unless something dramatic occurs, Allar seems locked in as the third quarterback, limiting the available spots even further.
That leaves Howard in a precarious position where he must outperform expectations to stick on the 53-man roster. His development will be closely monitored, particularly as he accumulates more practice repetitions and refines his game against seasoned competition.
Of course, much can shift between now and final roster cuts. Training camp and preseason games often reveal hidden strengths or expose weaknesses that projections cannot anticipate. Howard still has time to showcase the traits that initially drew praise from McCarthy and the coaching staff.
Allar’s ongoing work to rebuild core fundamentals could also accelerate, potentially solidifying his standing or even creating ripple effects higher up the depth chart. At this point, few jobs feel entirely secure, and the backup quarterback battle remains especially fluid.
In the end, the Steelers’ quarterback room reflects the broader theme of competition across the team. Rudolph and Howard are essentially vying for the QB2 role, knowing that falling short could mean starting the season on the practice squad or elsewhere.
As the summer progresses, performances on the field will ultimately decide who earns their place when the 53-man roster is finalized.
