Steelers quarterbacks advance in otas amid backup battle

May 29, 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers completed the second week of organized team activities with developments in their quarterback room. Will Howard has gained praise and appears positioned for the backup role behind Aaron Rodgers. Drew Allar continues working on fundamentals under new coaching.

Howard has earned significant reps and positive feedback through the voluntary sessions. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that Howard probably holds the inside track for the No. 2 spot this season. The sixth-round pick from last year impressed coaches despite limited prior game experience due to injury.

ሰዎች ምን እያሉ ነው

Initial reactions on X highlight the backup quarterback competition, with praise for Will Howard's early reps behind Aaron Rodgers and ongoing discussions about Drew Allar's need to rebuild fundamentals. Opinions range from optimistic views on Howard's inside track to skepticism about Allar's development and comparisons to other QBs like Mason Rudolph.

"It is impossible to prepare two young quarterbacks and try to develop them..."@CharlieBatch16 says the Steelers must pick between Drew Allar and Will Howard when distributing developmental reps. Who ultimately claims the QB2 spot behind Aaron Rodgers? 👇 pic.twitter.com/kmtISNrQ8t

— The Snap Count (@SnapCountShow) 25 ሜይ 2026

🚨REPORT🚨

The Steelers are essentially “uninstalling” everything Drew Allar learned about playing QB and “re-uploading” their own fundamentals and mechanics

per @bepryor.#NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/PUoqZfaa4F

— The Standard (@TheStandard412) 13 ሜይ 2026

Allar vs. Howard = mismatch.
3rd round vs 6th round.
QB factory vs. weak arm.
McCarthy can teach Allar what he doesn’t know.
McCarthy can’t give Howard what he doesn’t have.
Allar = possible starter.
Howard = practice-squad lifer.

— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) 9 ሜይ 2026

It’s early. Very early.

But on May 18, four months before the season kicks off, Will Howard took the QB2 reps behind Aaron Rodgers during the period open to the media.

The rotation continued with Mason Rudolph and then Drew Allar. pic.twitter.com/oqCWj8sii7

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) 18 ሜይ 2026

Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh tells @theponiexpress and @chrismuellerpgh Will Howard is "lagging behind" Mason Rudolph in performance at Steelers OTAs.@FarabaughFB gives Rudolph a 55% chance to be the Steelers backup QB this season. pic.twitter.com/as2mgsLF2c

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) 29 ሜይ 2026

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• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/05/week-2-of-otas-weekend-steelers-friday-night-five-questions/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/05/ex-nfl-qb-brady-quinn-not-as-concerned-about-drew-allar-practice-footage-as-ben-roethlisberger/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/05/fowler-will-howard-probably-has-the-inside-track-to-be-steelers-backup-qb/