The Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly escaped the New England Patriots in Week 3, securing a close 21-14 victory. It wasn’t very pretty all the way around, but the defense was able to force five turnovers, which turned out to be the difference in the contest. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers only threw for 139 yards; however, he tossed two touchdowns to his one interception. The offense still has a lot of weaknesses to improve upon, but it’s never a bad thing to start the season with a record of 2-1. The team will now travel to Dublin, Ireland to play the Minnesota Vikings.
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Steelers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on with intense focus in street clothes as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Rodgers has not had all the time in the world to throw the football through three weeks, and has just narrowly been missed on several different occasions. Mason Rudolph hasn’t had to step on the field for an extended period of time just yet, but it’s fair to mention that a 41-year-old quarterback won’t be able to hold up behind an inconsistent offensive line for an entire season.
The Steelers also have two signal-callers on Injured Reserve (IR), as rookie Will Howard and Skylar Thompson are working their ways back from respective injuries. Team insider, Gerry Dulac, gave an update on the KDKA Steelers Kickoff, and said that the 2025 sixth-round selection is likely to get some small opportunities to prove himself come October.
“Will Howard comes off of IR one game after [Week 3],” Dulac said. “He will come back off IR before Skylar Thompson, and so probably what that means, is they will try to get him some work, not necessarily, though, with the first or second team. Just to be able to get Will Howard out there with the scout team and at least get him doing something.”
Another interesting piece to the puzzle is Thompson returning as well. Pittsburgh never carries four quarterbacks on the active roster, so the team will likely have to choose between the rookie and preseason standout.
“They’re not going to carry four quarterbacks on the roster,” Dulac noted. “At one point, when Skylar Thompson, they’re going to have to make a decision and I think it’s the same decision they would have made at the end of training camp. They’re not going to cut Will Howard.”
Dulac seems confident that Thompson will be on his way out when he returns from IR. It makes complete sense with Howard being a first-year player on a four-year deal.
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Steelers quarterback Will Howard gets ready to take a snap as he runs the offense while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The future of the Steelers’ quarterback position is completely up in the air, and the organization could elect to draft a signal-caller again in 2026 when the event is held in the Steel City. Howard should get a chance to compete for the job, but he missed valuable preseason reps with the injury to his hand. He may only get to showcase his talents on the scout team, and that will be his first true audition for the starting job in 2026.
While fans won’t get to see Howard in action, unless something unforeseen occurs, there will be excitement for his ability to contribute in his second season. It makes absolutely no sense to choose Thompson over Howard, and so it will be important for Howard to return and get as many reps in practice as possible.
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Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson signals to the offense (17) during the annual Friday Night Lights practice at 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers May Wait One More Year To Draft A Quarterback
Everyone expects the 2025 campaign to be the final one for Rodgers, but there is a scenario where he decides to play in Pittsburgh for one more year, depending on how his first season in the Steel City finishes up. Rudolph is also under contract for 2026, so no one is quite sure which direction the organization is going to go in the near future. The one certain aspect is that Howard is soon going to come off of IR and get work in at practice.
Do you think that the Steelers want Howard to be the franchise’s future starting quarterback? Let us know in the comments below!
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