In comparing Howard and Alar ask THIS question-

Howard will likely be the odd man out if they go with 3 QBs.

 

There's the entire preseason to be played. Means more than the practices do....

Howard and Mason fighting for a spot (or a reason to keep 4 QB's, which I am a bit against tbh).

 

Mason is 31 years old. We know who he is, as a player, at this juncture of his career. Which is a journeyman QB. He is in the last year of his contract.

Howard is 24 years old. I don't think he has starter ceiling either, but he is likely to fall into a similar range to Mason as a QB by the end of this camp. His contract gives the Steelers 3 years of team control at $1M per.

Football's a business. In order for Mason to win that QB2 role, he is going to need to beat Howard out decisively. Is that possible? Sure. But is it likely? Probably not. Which is why my money's on the order I listed.

I really don't care who wins either. I don't have some horse in this race because I don't think either of them are the future, I don't think the Steelers will do anything significant with either of them serving as starter if Rodgers goes down, and the QB3 is going to need a redshirt year. So why not keep the QB2 option who is 7 years younger and has 3 years of team control at $1M.

 

Mason is fighting for nothing. He knows he has a spot somewhere this season whether with the Steelers or another team.

Three preseason games; roughly 180 snaps ÷ 4 QBs = 45 snaps/QB

 

Reports are that there is a very large gap between Mason and Howard or Allar, advantage Mason. And the gap between Howard and Allar is shrinking, advantage Allar. The case for keeping Mason over the others is that you know what your floor is. The others are unknown and this org is leery about unknowns at the QB position.

Agree that both Howard and Allar end up as different versions of Mason Rudolph, i.e, not your franchise QBs.

 

At 42 and with an injury history, Aaron Rodgers needs a proven, experienced backup who can actually function if called upon. Giving Howard that job is far too big a risk. He’s never taken an NFL snap. The No. 3 role belongs to Allar.Things would be different if Howard were lighting it up in camp. From the video clips and coverage I’ve seen, though, that simply isn’t the case.

Mason does not need to beat Howard decisively to win the role! He only needs to be a little better. Based on what McCarty has hinted, he is a Mason Rudolph fan. Howard has turned the ball over a bit too much in camp.

Both players are cheap on the cap. So it is not a money question. It will be a who is better for the 2026 Steelers decision.

 

I doubt Rodgers will play 45 snaps in the preseason.

 

30-40

Previously posted

Perhaps you missed it if it was someone you have on ignore

 

You think Mason doesn't want to beat out a rookie for the number 2? If he isn't fighting, he shouldn't be in the NFL. These guys are elite-level competitors. He's fighting.

 

Will Howard on the Practice Squad will make 4 QBs on the team.

Right now there is just too much talent on the 90 man roster to give up spot #53, for a QB that will never see the field. If Rodgers goes down, and then Mason goes down, the season will be to messed up to save, so might as well go with the young gun in Drew Allar.

Right now I am stuck wondering how they are going to sneak Rubio, Spear-Jennings, and camp phenom WR Brandon Smith on the 53-man roster. I would hate to lose any of these guy to another team because the Steelers kept Will Howard on the roster.

 

Mason can win that competition with his eyes closed.

 

Three days to find out between Mason and Will. Gonna be interesting for certain. Still a whole preseason to determine this but Thursday will be a big litmus test for certain.

 

We'll see. I'm not sure Mason should do anything with his eyes closed.

 

Most times I just give my preseason tickets to families who otherwise could not go to a game

Kids don't care if it’s preseason

But this year screw those underprivileged kids I’m going to the game Thursday

This is the first time I have been excited to watch preseason

Now if Allar and Howard both suck next game may go back to the brats

 

Well!!... if both Allar and Howard do bad then we officially back in square one circa the beginning of the Offseason Program.

 

The pool will be easier on joints, and ligament than the treadmill.

 

Maybe Detroit called and Kahn didn't pick up?

 

Yeah that’s what I thought

And then this morning I was made well aware that it uses a completely different muscle and ligament movement than the ones I have been exercising

 

LoL. His hate of Mason blinds him, and others. People keep saying he isn't the future. Most backups aren't the future, they are what they are , experience backup Qbs , there for a few games.
Of course I guess if I said a guy would be out of the NFL 4 years ago, and he was still in the NFL, I maybe looking for every opportunity to down him, I don't know

 

Hmm.

 

So Mason can be traded? For a 4th round pick ... maybe I'd do it.