It’s not often that any of us as fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers take this much time to discuss a position that may never actually see the field. But here we are… With Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph firmly entrenched, the third QB position was the only one left to discuss. It was also going to be a bit “juicy” too with an unheralded QB with little experience set to battle the guy who just led Ohio State to the National Championship. Who gets this position and why is the topic of this “debate.”
How We Got Here
We actually have to go back to 2020 in the place known as “The Little Apple.” Manhattan, Kansas is home to Kansas State University where Thompson was a junior when Howard arrived as a Freshman. The younger Howard was featured in the offense far more in that 2020 season than was the elder Thompson.
Will Howard: 90 Cmp, 168 Att, 1178 Yds, 8 TD, 10 INT
Skylar Thompson : 40 Cmp, 64 Att, 626 Yds, 4 TD, 0 INT
Thompson had started the first three games in the Covid season of 2020 before seeing an upper body injury ends his season. His absence gave way to Howard for the rest of the season. Despite finishing the season, Howard was still the backup to Thompson entering 2021. Again however the injury bug (knee) hit him again. Ultimately, Thompson returned for ten games.
Will Howard: 30 Cmp, 55 Att, 332 Yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Skylar Thompson: 162 Cmp, 233 Att, 2103 Yds, 12 TD, 4 INT
With Thompson off to the NFL, Howard appeared in 19 games over his final two season with the Wildcats. He started the team’s Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama that year. 2023 was his final season in Manhattan and he soon left for Ohio State with the team leaning towards Avery Johnson for the QB job. You probably know the rest of the story… After suffering two tough losses to Oregon and Michigan, Howard led the Buckeyes to the National Title.
In the 2025 offseason, the Steelers literally had one QB on their roster. With Aaron Rodgers still in limbo and the Draft yet to happen, the Steelers decided to sign former Miami Dolphin Thompson. At the time, he was seen as nothing more than a “camp arm.” His chances of making the roster were slim at best especially after the Steelers invested a draft pick in his former teammate Howard. So that’s how these two got here. Does each have a viable argument for making this roster?
The Case for Howard
Fair or not, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always given an advantage to guys they have drafted versus guys that signed as free agents. They aren’t the only team that follows this “rule” either. The problem of course for both Howard and the Steelers is that they’ve seen zero game action of him in the Black and Gold. That busted pinky finger removed any opportunity for him to prove what he could do.
Several weeks ago, the fan base seemed to be heavily behind Howard as the guy to be the third QB. Understand that this movement was – or is – largely predicated on two things. First, Howard played his most recent season at Ohio State. There is a huge crossover section of fans of the Buckeyes who also are Steelers’ fans. Therefore there is some natural bias. Secondly, Howard led his OSU team to the National Championship. For many football fans, this automatically means that any QB that accomplished this is destined for greatness.
Let us not forget names like Ken Dorsey or Gino Torretta of Miami or Craig Krenzel or Cardale Jones of Ohio State. These were guys who led their teams to titles in college but did very little in the NFL. I’m hopeful that if he’s given the chance that Howard can be the exception to those guys as the rule.
Ultimately, Mike Tomlin will have to evaluate Howard strictly on what he’s seen in practice and that’s not ideal.
The Case for Thompson
In professional sports, one man’s downfall is often combined with another man’s rise. With Howard scheduled to miss all of the preseason, Thompson was gifted a lot of extra snaps he would have otherwise not had. He would make the most of his opportunity. He finished the exhibition season with the fourth most passing yards (498), second-highest passer rating (116.5) and third in TD passes (3). As is always necessary, one must cushion these stats with the “Remember its the Preseason” disclaimer.
That means Thompson largely fed on third and fourth team defenses. At the same time, he did what he was tasked with at a high level. He had command of the offense, was very accurate and he limited his mistakes. We must also state that he was playing with and relying on third and fourth team guys as well.
Thompson’s performances have been so strong that there are many in the fan base and even a few in the media suggesting he should be the number two QB supplanting Mason Rudolph. Knowing Mike Tomlin I don’t see that happening. He has always sided with veterans and he values what Rudolph brings to the offense.
So… What Happens to These Two?
My gut tells me that on the initial 53-man roster, both guys could be on it making for a four-QB group. The reason being is that Omar Khan may be working the phones with a QB needy team that would value Thompson’s services. Even if you get a seventh rounder that’s a bonus. Remember, the Steelers signed him for peanuts so turning that into any Draft pick is a win. If this is going to happen though I tend to believe it will before cut down day on Tuesday.
The reason they may go with four QBs is also because the Steelers would be concerned that trying to get either guy through waivers and onto the Practice Squad would come with tremendous risk. If nothing happens with Thompson prior to Tuesday then I believe the Steelers will stick with their ‘rule.’ They’ll keep Howard as the third QB simply because he was a Draft pick and they’ll roll the dice with Thompson making it to the Practice Squad. I can tell you right now, if that’s the scenario, Thompson will be on another team by Week One.
