Steelers Now
For Will Howard, 2026 may be his last realistic opportunity to establish himself as part of Pittsburgh’s long-term plans.
Despite remaining a fan favorite, Howard enters training camp facing a much different reality than he did a year ago. Many believed he could eventually develop into Aaron Rodgers’ successor, but the Steelers’ actions this offseason suggest the organization may have already begun looking elsewhere.
When Pittsburgh selected Drew Allar in the third round, it sent a clear message. The Steelers wanted another developmental quarterback in the pipeline, and Allar now appears to be the young passer the organization is most invested in developing behind Rodgers.
That leaves Howard in a difficult spot. Rodgers is firmly entrenched as the starter, Allar is the developmental quarterback carrying significant draft capital, and Mason Rudolph remains the experienced veteran who has shown he can provide serviceable play when called upon.
Howard will still get opportunities throughout camp and the preseason, but entering his second season, he needs to show tangible growth. If he fails to separate himself from the rest of the quarterback room, the Steelers could ultimately decide their future plans lie elsewhere.
Few Steelers enter 2026 with more pressure on them than Roman Wilson.
The former Michigan standout and third-round pick has had a disappointing start to his NFL career. Injuries limited him throughout his rookie season, and even when healthy he struggled to earn a consistent role.
Many expected 2025 to be a fresh start. The receiver room was wide open, Wilson was healthy, and opportunities were available. Instead, many of the same concerns remained.
Wilson finished the season with just 12 receptions and two touchdowns, with much of that production coming when games were already out of reach. More concerning was the apparent lack of trust from the coaching staff. Even when injuries created opportunities elsewhere in the receiver room, Wilson frequently found himself as a healthy scratch while veterans such as Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling earned game-day roles despite arriving in Pittsburgh only weeks earlier.
Now the challenge becomes even steeper.
The Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr. and used a premium draft pick on Jeremy Bernard, creating an even deeper and more competitive receiver room. If Wilson struggled to find a role when Pittsburgh desperately needed another pass catcher to emerge, doing so now will be even more difficult.
Third-round picks are not given endless opportunities. Entering Year 3, Wilson needs to prove he can be a reliable contributor. Otherwise, he risks becoming another highly drafted receiver who never finds his footing in Pittsburgh.
For Kaleb Johnson, the pressure is arriving much sooner than many expected.
The former Iowa standout was selected in the third round and was expected to play a significant role in Pittsburgh’s backfield following the departure of Najee Harris. Instead, Johnson struggled to consistently establish himself during his rookie season.
While flashes were present, concerns surrounding his burst and overall versatility limited his opportunities. Initially, Kenneth Gainwell’s departure appeared to create a clearer...
