Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy doubles down on Will Howard praise

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 4: Will Howard #18 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after winning an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy continues to make one thing clear: he believes in young quarterback Will Howard.

Speaking at the NFL's annual league meetings, McCarthy once again voiced strong support for the second-year signal caller, reinforcing comments he made during his introductory press conference.

If I was drafting players that year, he wouldn't be around in the fifth or sixth round. I valued him higher than that," McCarthy said. I think he's a real prospect as a starting quarterback."

Mike McCarthy on Will Howard:

If I were around when Will Howard was drafted, he wouldn't have been around in the 6th round."

Sounds like McCarthy believes Howard was a STEAL late in the draft.#NFL#Steelerspic.twitter.com/glnQQVTYKC

- The Standard (@TheStandard412) March 31, 2026

Those remarks echo his earlier stance, where he expressed eagerness to mentor Howard and pointed to his collegiate performance at Ohio State as a reason for optimism.

Still, the situation in Pittsburgh remains fluid.

Just a day prior, McCarthy also spoke highly of the upcoming quarterback draft class-an indication that the Steelers are keeping their options open at the position. That balancing act suggests the organization is evaluating all avenues, from internal development to external additions.

Hovering over everything is the unresolved status of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Should Rodgers land in Pittsburgh, he would once again step in as the immediate starter, pushing Howard-and any potential rookie-down the depth chart.

For now, McCarthy's words signal confidence in Howard's long-term upside. But until the Steelers finalize their quarterback plans, the praise may be as much about keeping options or even just a smokescreen as we get closer to the NFL draft.

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