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Steelers Name Will Howard Starter for Jets Preseason Game

8/20/2026

Summary

McCarthy Starts Howard

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy announced Will Howard will start the second preseason game against the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph will sit while Drew Allar plays the second half.
Assistant GM Andy Weidl warned that keeping Howard could require cuts to defensive-line depth.
If Howard impresses, Steelers may keep all four quarterbacks; otherwise they could trade or cut him.

Summary

Rudolph Criticizes Tomlin

Mason Rudolph praised Mike McCarthy’s quarterback program and criticized coach Mike Tomlin’s development approach.
Steelers had no dedicated quarterbacks coach for Rudolph’s first two seasons, using coordinator Randy Fichtner.
Social-media users highlighted Rudolph’s jealousy comments as an indirect jab at Tomlin, fueling fan discussion.
Aaron Rodgers mentors the young quarterbacks, according to teammate Christian Kuntz.
Weidl linked Howard’s clutch performance to his experience in Ohio State’s 2025 national-championship run.

History

Historical Context

Since Bill Cowher stepped down in January 2007, the Steelers have changed head coaches only three times—Mike Tomlin (2007-2025), then Mike McCarthy in January 2026—maintaining the franchise’s post-1970 stability of just four coaches. Tomlin’s 19-year run produced 193 regular-season wins and a Super Bowl, while recent quarterback churn from Ben Roethlisberger (drafted 2004) to Aaron Rodgers (signed 2025) underscores the team’s ongoing search for offensive continuity.

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McCarthy Starts Howard

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy announced Will Howard will start the second preseason game against the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph will sit while Drew Allar plays the second half.
Assistant GM Andy Weidl warned that keeping Howard could require cuts to defensive-line depth.
If Howard impresses, Steelers may keep all four quarterbacks; otherwise they could trade or cut him.

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