Will Howard

MM's downfall has been his inability to put together a championship defense (or at least keep one) while having a top offense. Compare the defenses Roethlisberger had with the ones Rodgers had over their careers.
Now, is their enough inherent defensive knowledge in the Steelers building that they can compensate for this? I'm not real optimistic. But the Steelers decided it was time to start favoring offense because they haven't gotten close recently by favoring the defense. And I agree with this.

 

His guy?

There is no sign they have tried to get a guy

It is unlikely they will draft a guy

Heck they haven’t even made Rodgers an offer

Is he going with Mason and a guy with zero NFL experience

 

Who's fault was that in Green Bay???
Also what's the difference if You have a top D, or a top O if You don't get where you are trying to?? I don't care about stats. All I know is nobody outside of Steelers fans will put Ben in the same category as Rodgers, and yet we were able to go to 3 SBs with him, with Cowher, and Tomlin as HCs, and MM with Rodgers equals one SB appearance.

 

Mcarthy has a plan for a QB, i seriously doubt he took the job without a plan for the QB position, And my opinion is that it isnt Will Howard. If we dont sign anyone then I would bet Rodgers comes back and I would bet Mcarthy already knows if Rodgers is coming back.

 

I agree with the McCarthy already knows if ARod wants to come back part. Although, I think there may be a caveat or 2 in order to seal the deal.
As far as an unknown goes, Will Howard is a pretty strong QB prospect. His final year in college he did run a fairly complex offense and won a national championship. He has the continuity of Tom Arth as his QB coach also. As of today, I'm a fan.


I think McCarthy wanted another opportunity to be a head coach. I think his ties to the city of Pittsburgh make this a decent match as far as I don't think this is just a money grab for him. The 5yr contract gives us a pretty good window to fill out this roster and become contenders again.

 

And the Steelers got that information from a PR packet MM and his agent were shopping around after the season ended.

The title of “QB guru” is self assigned.



https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/b...de-quarterback-development-pitch-to-steelers/


Let’s not act like suddenly the Steelers are doing deep dives on coaching candidates qualifications and bona fides. They hired Canada after all. Same group of decision makers.

Even take a more positive view and review the Tomlin hiring process. It was what happened in the interview room. Tomlin came in with a binder outlining his plans and won the room.

MM did the same thing. Just like he figured out what Jerry needed to hear last time. Steelers are desperate for QB play. MM sold a drowning man water. Good for him. It was a savvy move.

And it’s now on MM to make the claim hold up. A review of his career gives evidence of a pretty thin track record but some tangible evidence that he can back his claims.

Will he do it in Pittsburg? I’d bet no. But it’s likely too close to really call.

I just think that all the Steelers fans that are doing a simple calculation that MM + QB = AWESOME! Need to seriously pump the brakes.

At some point actual reality has to enter the conversation. I pulled together the stats and history for MM entire career to date. What in all of that demonstrates he’s anything special at developing QBs?

To me it looks like it’s Rodgers and then nothing special. Doesn’t mean MM isn’t good offensive mind. It just means he’s not likely hanging out in that upper echelon of coaches that can make any QB with a pulse look good.

 

I dont think its a money grab either but a veteran coach like Mcarthy isnt going to take a job with the idea of starting a guy like Will Howard. Steelers fans like the idea of Will Howard but he really wasnt a strong prospect which is why he was a 6th rounder. Maybe im wrong and he starts and is great but I just think thats the least likely option. I would say most likely option is Rodgers is the QB.

 

I would’ve rather had Ben any day of the week and twice on Sunday over Rodgers

 

So great only one superbowl appearance?
Don’t mind me
I’m a one man
Conversationalist

 

I agree
SP65
Ben way better than Arod
Can you say
Overrated?

 

Agreed
Overrated

 

You do know a lot of Steelers fans will call Ben a rapist and talk of how bad a person he was?

 

Allegedly a rapist
Never been charged

 

Yeah
True
But we no longer rely on our judicial system
We now put all our trust in social media judgements
Facts no longer matter

 

Ok
Enough ranting
SP65
Say good night Gracie

 

She says good night

 

Uh huh

 

McCarthy would’ve took the job if they told him he wasn’t allowed to play a QB the entire season.

 

Nobody would have told him who to play at quarterback

 

Of course not.

I’m just saying MM wanted back on a sideline bad enough it wouldn’t have mattered if someone did try and put conditions on it.

not important.

 

Dexter

 

Well the one they won, they had a really good defense…that will be McCarthys blind spot that he will have to check himself on. Steelers have talent on defense. It will be up to this new DC to make it work.

As Rodgers got older in Green Bay I think they relied too heavily on him gunslinging and working his magic … McCarthy will have to reign Rodgers in. It is just a reality given his age.

Really the ideal situation is like Manning in Denver… great defense and Rodgers game managing the offense. We need to get back to running the ball efficiently.

Tomlin was doing the same thing, reigning Rodgers in, but I think he reigned Rodgers in a little too much. No throws over the middle limited the Steelers offense severely.

Honestly, I don’t know how it will go this year. Rodgers legs are shot and he will be one year older. I would love for him to get in the building early and see if the trainers can improve that if at all possible.

 

AR is short term, like in likely less than a season short term, MR is obviously not the answer and very likely Howard is not as well. The Qb position for the Steelers is so “transitory” right now, (if i can borrow Janet Yellens term she used for inflation). The draft and FA should reveal what McCarthys plans are. Also I wonder how much freedom or trust Rooney is giving him in relation to the most important position on the team - i would guess alot. I would also guess its going to be an equal part MM and Omar plan as well.