The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback room is very much up in the air right now. After completely overhauling the group a year ago, the team decided to try once again to bring in an entirely new set of players. As of now, the team still has some massive questions as to who will start.
Mason Rudolph is the current leader in the room. He signed on for his second stint with the team this offseason after a mixed year with the Titans. Skylar Thompson was added as a third or fourth option on a minimum deal.
The big question lies with Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh has shown interest in him, but he remains noncommittal on his future. Who starts is up in the air and may not be known for some time.
However, a contingent of fans think the Steelers already have their guy.
Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round in this year's draft, and he seems to have quite the following. So much so that people are already saying he should be the starter this year, and some even have gone so far as to crown him as the next franchise option.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans need to pump the breaks on Will Howard
Let me be clear, I like Howard as much as anyone else. I think he was the best value pick in the draft, and his combination of a high floor and a moderate ceiling makes him a better-than-average late-round pick.
I’ve said since the start that Howard’s floor looks like a good backup in the league. He can work through a busy pocket, progress through reads, and deliver accurate passes. He has the mobility to be a threat on the ground even if that isn’t his primary way to win.
The touch on his passes in particular is impressive. He lacks a great arm, but he throws his deep pass with a lot of touch that makes his receiver's job easier.
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So why can’t he be the future starter? While he plays well enough, he lacks the elite traits to elevate a team. I think he can be a game manager and a quality low-end starter/high-end backup, and getting that kind of player in the sixth round is worth it.
Unfortunately, for fans who are getting behind Howard as the starter of the future, that seems unlikely. Beyond the issues I have with him as a player, the odds of him seeing substantial playing time this year are unlikely.
If Aaron Rodgers signs, he is competing for the third quarterback spot. Heck, Thompson could even beat him out for the third quarterback role, and Howard could miss the roster altogether.
Assuming he sticks around for this year, he will enter next offseason as an unknown. More than likely, the team will go hard at scouting quarterback and take their swing at their next franchise option. This leaves Howard competing for a backup spot.
This isn’t a knock against Howard; his best fit is as a premium second option long term, but for those who are hoping he will be the next face of the franchise, you need to calm down. Unless something drastic happens, Howard may not even see snaps this year.