Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback Will Howard finds himself in a battle with rookie Drew Allar for a backup quarterback position with the team.
Howard was looking to make a good impression on Friday night in the Steelers’ second preseason game against the New York Jets. He made an impression, albeit not a good one.
Fans Were Not Pleased With Steelers’ Will Howard
Howard threw two interceptions during his time on the field in the first half at Acrisure Stadium. He was 10-for-15 passing for 74 yards, was sacked once for 11 yards in losses, and finished his time with a passer rating of 38.6. The Jets led 7-0 at halftime.
Those numbers and Howard’s efforts in running the Steelers’ offense didn’t sit well with a number of people.
Pro Football Network’s account on X had something to say regarding Howard and his effort after throwing his second interception against the Jets.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
The account posted, “Will Howard just threw his second INT of the first half. Maybe Drew Allar has the chance to close the gap for that second-string QB spot”.
Will Howard just threw his second INT of the first half 🫣
Maybe Drew Allar has the chance to close the gap for that second-string QB spot pic.twitter.com/cLLxDk4knH
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 22, 2026
A user on X wrote online, “Unfortunately, this is the end of Will Howard. He doesn’t have the ball speed needed at this level to throw in tied windows. The arm is not there. Just a 6th rounder.”
A Steelers fan offered an assessment of the quarterback, writing, “Will Howard is pretty bad.”
Will Howard is pretty bad.
— Justin (@Steelerfann2) August 22, 2026
Here’s another short social media comment on Howard’s play: “Will Howard looking terrible.”
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
This observant Steelers fan shared a video of Howard throwing his second interception on Friday night. The fan wrote, “Will Howard Throws a 2nd Pick … A BUT HE WON A NATTY Y’ALL,” indicating how some fans defend the Ohio State product because he won a National Championship before entering the NFL.
Will Howard Throws a 2nd Pick 🔥
A BUT HE WON A NATTY YALL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zK6w3TUpOo
— OgnBurgh (@scottiloss) August 22, 2026
Yet another NFL fan shared similar thoughts as other fans commenting on Howard after watching him play: “Damn, Will Howard is terrible”.
This Pittsburgh sports fan already has an idea where Howard should go after preseason play and wrote, “Will Howard, YOU are on the practice squad.”
Steel Legends’ account on X offered some commentary on Howard’s play: “Will Howard never secured the backup spot. He made poor decisions and reminded everyone why he should be a cut.”
Andrew Fillipponi, a sports radio host at 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, also had a thing or two to say about Howard. Fillipponi wrote, “I hate to say it but that was practice squad level performance from Will Howard.”
I hate to say it but that was practice squad level performance from Will Howard.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 22, 2026
With Allar now running the Steelers’ offense in the second half, Howard has to wonder what his future with the team might look like going forward.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy will soon have to decide who will be his team’s backup quarterback as he is tasked with fixing an offense that ranked 16th in PFN’s Offense Impact Rankings last season.
