As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for training camp under their new head coach, Mike McCarthy, all eyes are on the quarterback position. With Aaron Rodgers, the long-time partner of McCarthy, unlikely to see much action during the preseason, the focus shifts to the backup QB battle.
Mark Madden, a prominent sports analyst, believes that Will Howard, the Ohio State product, has the edge in this competition. Despite missing all of last year's preseason due to injury, Howard is seen as the favorite to secure the backup role.
"I think it's Will Howard's job to lose," Madden stated on his podcast. "He's a redshirt rookie, but his potential and the intrigue surrounding him will make Steelers' exhibition games must-watch TV."
The presence of Mason Rudolph and rookie Drew Allar adds an interesting dynamic to the quarterback room. While Rudolph is an established player, Allar, a Penn State alum, is raw and untested at the NFL level. Madden predicts that Allar will remain the third-stringer, leaving Howard and Rudolph to battle it out for the backup spot.
"Allar is the rookie, and the team won't cut him. So it's down to Howard and Rudolph for the No. 2 position," Madden explained.
However, the front office still has some roster juggling to do. With Allar and Rodgers confirmed, the question remains: how will they accommodate the other two quarterbacks without letting go of Rudolph, whom the team might be hesitant to part ways with?
Madden believes that McCarthy, known for making decisive choices, will not resort to stashing a player on injured reserve. "That's not his style," Madden added.
As the Steelers prepare for a new era under McCarthy, the backup quarterback competition adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already fascinating preseason. With Howard's potential and the uncertainty surrounding the position, Madden's prediction of a 'gold mine' for Steelers fans seems spot-on.
In a broader context, this quarterback battle highlights the ever-evolving nature of the NFL, where even backup positions can spark intense debates and capture the imagination of fans and analysts alike.
Stay tuned as the Steelers' training camp unfolds, offering a glimpse into the future of the franchise and the potential rise of Will Howard.
