For the first time since 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a new head coach. Mike Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons at the helm. The team then conducted a brief search before hiring Mike McCarthy as his replacement.
While McCarthy wants Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh in 2026, it’s unclear if the four-time MVP will sign up for a reunion with his former Green Bay Packers coach. However, Maxx Crosby believes Rodgers should come back for one more season, as the Pro Bowl pass rusher suggested a QB succession plan for the Steelers.
“You let Rodgers get another year. And then you have Will Howard step in after that, sitting for two years and then let him go in and be the guy. Because, I know some people have their opinions on Will Howard and this and that. I’m a Will Howard believer. I’m not going to lie. I think he’s a hell of a player,” Crosby said on The Rush, per Steelers reporter Matthew Luciow.
Is Will Howard the future for the Steelers?
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. Armed with the 21st overall pick, Pittsburgh passed on Jaxson Dart, taking Derrick Hamon instead. Dart came off the board four spots later at No. 25. The Steelers also repeatedly passed on Shedeur Sanders, who slid all the way to the fifth round.
Pittsburgh finally grabbed Howard with the 185th overall pick. He was the eighth quarterback taken in the draft. However, unlike Riley Leonard (pick No. 189), Quinn Ewers (231), and undrafted rookie QBs Max Brosmer and Brady Cook, Howard did not see the field in 2025.
Howard broke his hand in training camp and wasn’t activated from IR until mid November. He rejoined the team when Rodgers fractured his left wrist. But Mason Rudolph backed up the injured starter. And Rodgers managed to play through the ailment, missing only one game.
Having the 42-year-old veteran return for a final season before handing starting duties off to a young, in-house solution at quarterback probably sounds pretty good to McCarthy. On paper, Rodgers could provide stability for the Steelers during the coaching transition and then Howard could be ready to hit his stride with a revamped lineup in 2027.
Of course, the rather optimistic plan could easily devolve into a nightmare. And, considering that a Raider made the suggestion, Steelers fans should probably be wary.
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