Will Howard QB1

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anpsteel
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Will Howard QB1

Post by anpsteel » Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:13 pm

I’m a little surprised that Will Howard has leapfrogged Mason Rudolph for the starting position at voluntary OTA’s

That’s a good sign, imo


If Rogers doesn’t come back this season, I would definitely rather run with Howard as the starter, sink or swim

Throw a draft pick at somebody in the mid to late rounds that maybe has some upside

But let Will Howard’s 2025 performance determine next year’s draft



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gojira5150
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Post by gojira5150 » Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:24 pm

anpsteel wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2026 7:13 pm
I’m a little surprised that Will Howard has leapfrogged Mason Rudolph for the starting position at voluntary OTA’s

That’s a good sign, imo


If Rogers doesn’t come back this season, I would definitely rather run with Howard as the starter, sink or swim

Throw a draft pick at somebody in the mid to late rounds that maybe has some upside

But let Will Howard’s 2025 performance determine next year’s draft
I agree with this sentiment. Either Howard is your FQB or we draft one next year in top 10 of draft. Win/Win. Draft Taylen in the 5th or 6th and move on
Obliteration Is Imminent

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.Kodiak
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Post by .Kodiak » Mon Apr 20, 2026 8:50 pm

Mason doesn't thrill me even as a backup. If Howard's floor is better than Mason, that's a win-win too.

Gonzo
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Post by Gonzo » Mon Apr 20, 2026 11:00 pm

please little baby jesus in a tuxedo shirt let rodgers not return

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.Kodiak
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Post by .Kodiak » Tue Apr 21, 2026 1:57 am

Gonzo wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2026 11:00 pm
please little baby jesus in a tuxedo shirt let rodgers not return
It's hard to see Howard getting any starts with Rodgers unless we're eliminated from the playoffs. And if he's legit running ahead of Mason already, he probably needs a handful of starts to see what you have.

On the other hand, it's a new offense. One that won't be a JV offense. So Howard likely isn't ready to start until after mid-year. McCarthy won't be sending out his QB without audibles.

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tbsteel
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Post by tbsteel » Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:13 am

I will never watch a game with Mason Rudolph playing QB again.
*roots for losses*

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jebrick
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Post by jebrick » Tue Apr 21, 2026 12:04 pm

.Kodiak wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2026 1:57 am
Gonzo wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2026 11:00 pm
please little baby jesus in a tuxedo shirt let rodgers not return
It's hard to see Howard getting any starts with Rodgers unless we're eliminated from the playoffs. And if he's legit running ahead of Mason already, he probably needs a handful of starts to see what you have.

On the other hand, it's a new offense. One that won't be a JV offense. So Howard likely isn't ready to start until after mid-year. McCarthy won't be sending out his QB without audibles.
Would have been a decent plan if they would have signed a backup with proven starter ability like Flacco or Gardner Minchew to back him up but we need to be held hostage by a QB so he can lead the team to a 9-8 record
When you see the writing on the wall, you are in the toilet. -- Fred Sanford

Orangesteel
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Post by Orangesteel » Tue Apr 21, 2026 3:34 pm

tbsteel wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:13 am
I will never watch a game with Mason Rudolph playing QB again.
Here as well. I commend the dude for making a career out of what he has, but I’m completely done with these Tomlin-era holdovers that continue to get chances on mediocre rosters.

Thanks for your service.
“Thoughts are a waste of time for me.” - Michael Pettaway Tomlin

Steelersfan
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Post by Steelersfan » Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:11 pm

Will Howard & Mason Rudolph are fighting for two different jobs/positions/titles. Howard is on the roster competing to be the #1 or #3 QB. Mason is on the team competing (with no one at the moment) to be the veteran #2 backup to whoever else comes out #1.

Yinz saying you'll never watch a game with Rudolph, may have too. Mason is the PERFECT #2 vet backup for the roster. Good not great. Game day experienced, not great. Cheap cap hit, not over paid. Not jocking for a #1 opportunity or #1 money elsewhere. Locker room liked, etc., etc. ID sign him to 5-10 year forever contract to be the new Charlie Batch. Drastically better than Minchew, Flacco, etc. Perfect for that role & no one better for that role that I can think of in the NFL right now.

Howard is competing for #1, #3 or a UFL job in a few years.

Rod & Wire Mill
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Post by Rod & Wire Mill » Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:19 pm

Reminds me of the days when we searched the land for a decent qb until first Bradshaw then Ben fell into our lap. Does anyone remember when we drafted Hanratty right before Bradshaw and they jockeyed back and forth for a couple years before Brad emerged?

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jebrick
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Post by jebrick » Wed Apr 22, 2026 12:29 pm

Rod & Wire Mill wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:19 pm
Reminds me of the days when we searched the land for a decent qb until first Bradshaw then Ben fell into our lap. Does anyone remember when we drafted Hanratty right before Bradshaw and they jockeyed back and forth for a couple years before Brad emerged?
Wedge in Jefferson Street Joe Gilliam in there. He was fun to watch.

i think the point on these and the Cowher QBs was that they accepted the dips and had a chance to get a QB. AR2 is not accepting the normal cycle of the NFL and it is drive us crazy.
When you see the writing on the wall, you are in the toilet. -- Fred Sanford

steelclan
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Post by steelclan » Wed Apr 22, 2026 10:23 pm

Rod & Wire Mill wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2026 11:19 pm
Reminds me of the days when we searched the land for a decent qb until first Bradshaw then Ben fell into our lap. Does anyone remember when we drafted Hanratty right before Bradshaw and they jockeyed back and forth for a couple years before Brad emerged?
TBF with a few exceptions most QBs fall into team's laps. Tom Brady being the prime example. Russell Wilson another. Rodgers was back of the first round. Even Mahomes at 12 was fortunate. Most top 10 QBs don't pan out. The failure rate on them is downright alarming. For every Peyton Manning taken at #1, there are far more like Tim Couch.

Lamar was at end of the first. Unless you get a Joe Burrow at 1 most of the time teams' need to get lucky to find a franchise QB.

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SteelerDayTrader
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Post by SteelerDayTrader » Wed Apr 22, 2026 10:33 pm

Will Howard sucks
Rudolph sucks
This team sucks
The players suck
The coaches suck
The ownership sucks


Fuck this team
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Rooting for losses since 2025

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