The Pittsburgh Steelers have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, but he’s trying to solve the same glaring issue as his predecessor and find the franchise’s next franchise quarterback.
Last season, Pittsburgh drafted former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, although Aaron Rodgers served as the starter, and Howard was relegated to being the emergency quarterback on game days.
Rodgers is currently contemplating what’s next for his career, and should he opt to retire or sign with another team, Howard could be in the mix to be the starter for the 2026 campaign.
However, he may have some stiff competition, as the Steelers have just been linked to a prospect in the upcoming rookie class by an insider.
“I like Will Howard – I don’t like Will Howard as much as Ty Simpson,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick said Tuesday on NFL Live. “I don’t even think they’re in the same stratosphere as far as their ability to throw the football. I think Ty Simpson is a guy who, right now, based upon how the season ended – and we’ve talked about it a lot and we’re going to be talking about it a lot more.
“Based upon how the latter half of the season ended, which wasn’t all on him. The guy was banged up, offensive line is very inconsistent, the running game is nonexistent and the wide receiver corps was up-and-down from week to week. And then, he turns it around in the playoffs against Oklahoma and brings his team back from a 17-point deficit.
“He’s tailor-made for Mike McCarthy’s system – and Mike has coached some good quarterbacks. It’ll be interesting to see what their evaluation of him is. I don’t think he’s a reach at 21. And yeah, Mel, I think he’s going to go before that.”
A camp battle between Simpson and Howard could be just what the Steelers need to find their next guy should Rodgers decide to move on.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.