Skip to main content

Will Howard's standing with Steelers may depend on the Supplemental Draft

A late addition to the depth chart could shake up the QB room.
Will Howard QB Pittsburgh Steelers
Will Howard QB Pittsburgh Steelers | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

After news broke that Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby decided to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft this summer, the Pittsburgh Steelers quickly became a popular potential landing spot for the troubled QB. Many expected the team to enter the season with Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, but that may no longer be the case. This latest development has the potential to change everything.

They would love to keep Mason Rudolph, but that may not be realistic, especially with the recent Sorsby news making it even less likely. It is uncommon for a high-profile draft prospect to become available this late in the offseason. The Steelers are on track to report to training camp in late July, but that does not mean they will shy away from making a splash.

Taking Sorsby in the upcoming Supplemental Draft would come with some risk.

He is coming off gambling-related issues, and there was significant attention when he initially won his case to return to Texas Tech. That said, he has plenty of talent and the potential to develop into a franchise quarterback. If Pittsburgh is serious about pursuing Sorsby, it could negatively impact Will Howard’s immediate future with the team.

Pittsburgh Steelers potential draft addition of Brendan Sorsby could spell doom for Will Howard

Many have high hopes for Will Howard heading into training camp, including Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy. The top coach in Pittsburgh has consistently praised Howard since taking the job, and many believe he could eventually become Aaron Rodgers’ heir apparent. At the end of the day, however, he is a former sixth-round pick who has yet to take an NFL snap.

Although Howard has strong support within the Steelers’ organization, pursuing Sorsby would be difficult to pass on.

He is the type of prospect many expected to be selected high in the 2027 NFL Draft if he had returned to college for another season. That scenario never materialized, and now he is entering the league early. Pittsburgh will not be the only team showing interest in drafting him, however.

Expect many clubs to show interest in taking Brendan Sorsby and potentially considering the use of a high draft pick. For those who don't know, whichever draft pick is used in the Supplemental Draft will be taken away when the 2027 NFL Draft commences. It's believed that Sorsby could require a team to use a first or second-round pick, which is almost unheard of in that event.

When it comes down to it, this may be the Steelers’ best opportunity to land a high-profile quarterback through the draft process.

They are unlikely to draft high enough in a traditional setting to acquire a player of Sorsby’s caliber, making this a unique chance. Howard could face immediate repercussions if the team goes in that direction. No matter how much the Steelers' brass may like Howard, keeping four QBs is simply not a feasible option.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations