The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty to sort out at quarterback before the regular season arrives. With Aaron Rodgers leading the room, Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar are also competing for meaningful roles behind the veteran.
That leaves Will Howard on the outside looking in and facing an important stretch as Pittsburgh works through its crowded quarterback group. Now, one prediction has added another twist to a battle that could come down to the final roster decisions.
Former Steelers DT Predicts Will Howard Trade
Former Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko has Howard leaving Pittsburgh in his latest projection.
It arrives as the Steelers attempt to manage an unusually crowded quarterback room. Pittsburgh currently has four quarterbacks competing for roster spots, creating a difficult decision for the coaching staff as the regular season inches closer.
Fehoko shared a projected Steelers quarterback depth chart on X, in which he predicts a trade of Howard to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Fehoko’s post read: “Aaron Rodgers QB1. Mason Rudolph QB2. Drew Allar QB3. Will Howard traded to the Chargers.”
Aaron Rodgers QB1
Mason Rudolph QB2
Drew Allar QB3Will Howard traded to the Chargers
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 22, 2026
Howard entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick by Pittsburgh in the 2025 NFL Draft after transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State. He helped the Buckeyes win the College Football Playoff national championship before making the jump to the NFL.
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His latest preseason outing, however, did little to quiet questions surrounding his place on the depth chart. Howard started against the New York Jets on Aug. 21 and completed ten of 15 passes for 74 yards. He also threw two interceptions in the first half during Pittsburgh’s 17-0 loss.
The performance was in sharp contrast to his preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, where he completed seven of nine passes for 86 yards, giving the Steelers a more encouraging look at their young quarterback.
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Despite the speculation, Fehoko’s prediction does not mean a trade is imminent.
Pittsburgh, which ranked 16th in PFN NFL Offense Impact for 2025, has reportedly decided to keep Howard and fellow young quarterback Drew Allar, while Howard remains under contract through the 2028 season.
This could make the Steelers’ final preseason game especially important.
Pittsburgh will face the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 27 before the team makes its final roster decisions ahead of the regular-season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13.
Howard still has an opportunity to change the conversation before those decisions arrive. For now, though, Fehoko sees a different outcome, with the former Steelers defensive tackle projecting Howard to continue his NFL career somewhere other than Pittsburgh.
