The wait for NFL action is finally over. Ironically, Pittsburgh Steelers fans are receiving double the reward. And patience during the front office's strenuous retooling should finally pay off.
It's resulted in consecutive years of drafting quarterbacks with high ceilings. Yes, we expect Will Howard or Drew Allar to accept the torch from Aaron Rodgers in the near future. But shockingly, we have yet to see either QB take NFL action.
Luckily, Thursday night will fulfill this wish. According to KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh, Drew Allar will sub in for Mason Rudolph in the first half against the Green Bay Packers. Then Will Howard will finish the game with a third-quarter appearance.
The excitement surrounding the news is unavoidable. But what do we honestly expect to see from the developing stars' first snaps on the gridiron?
I’m hoping for great things.
A duel against the Packers is a formidable task for any young QB. Jonathan Gannon has taken over the reins from Jeff Hafley after serving as Arizona’s Head Coach. He is a well-respected defensive mind infamous for multiple defense schemes.
I expect Green Bay to utilize nickel formations throughout the night, forcing Howard, Allar, and Rudolph to complete passes with an extra defensive back on the field. Defenders will make pre-snap adjustments to throw off initial reads. And we may even see the Packers send a few blitzes to disrupt McCarthy’s rhythmic offensive scheme.
The pressure could create unwarranted mistakes by the Steelers' inexperienced QBs... but that is okay.
Will Howard and Drew Allar must make the most of their Pittsburgh Steelers preseason debut
Preseason football is made for experimentation. It’s designed to help franchises critique player performances before the regular season officially kicks off. I do not believe Drew Allar or Will Howard are NFL-ready quarterbacks right now. So it’s fair to assume growing pains come with their development journey.
Even if they’ve impressed during Pittsburgh’s training camp thus far. Both quarterbacks have room to grow. And Thursday provides a chance to gain meaningful experience.
Especially for Will Howard. A broken finger on his right hand caused the former Ohio State Buckeye to miss his rookie season. Without professional film, it’s hard to assess the National Champion’s ceiling. He showed discomfort in the pocket throughout college but can extend plays with his legs if all else fails. I am interested to see if his arm strength and pocket awareness have improved since joining the Steelers.
The same could be said for Pittsburgh's latest third round steal.
It feels like yesterday that fans witnessed Allar’s footwork deteriorate under pressure during his college career at Penn State. His ball placement and mechanics were also impaired against heightened competition. Sure, he’s had a few weeks to work out the kinks under McCarthy’s and Rodgers’ tutelage. But I do not expect his bad tendencies to disappear in one Summer.
A preseason game against a defensive mastermind will allow fans to analyze Pittsburgh’s QB decision-making early and often. I genuinely believe It’s excellent practice for Rodgers’ proteges. And I would not be surprised if they fared well.
Initially, the idea of Allar taking snaps before Howard made me concerned. Why start the rookie instead of the second-year veteran without any experience? But the Steelers have a rhyme and reason. I find it intriguing that Howard will close the game for Pittsburgh. It puts the second-year QB in the role of a “closer.” It's the perfect test for a gunslinger who wants more on his plate.
All eyes will be on Pittsburgh’s gunslingers as they prepare for tonight's battle against the Green Bay Packers. Will Howard and Drew Allar will be the topic of conversation. And I believe they are ready for anything coming their way.
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