Steelers Bet on Howard, Delay QB Draft

0:00It's April 9th, this is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories from around the league, I'm Cory with the story. Pittsburgh Steelers sitting pretty with eyes on the 2026 NFL draft for a quarterback, but no guaranteed starter locked in yet. They expect Aaron Rodgers to come back after not resigning, while their current options like Career Backup Mason Rudolph and Unproven 6 Round. Pick will Howard from last year raise some doubts. Howard didn't even see the field in his rookie season. A source close to the team told ESPN name Russian to grab a QB this off season. Instead, they're playing it cool, letting the draft board fall where it may. That same insider dropped that Howard's got real supporters up in the front office, which changes the vibe around town. Fans and insiders buzzing about this as a win for Howard, keeping extra competition off his plate if Rodgers suits up again. Head coach Mike McCarthy's praised him publicly multiple times, though some wonder how deep that belief runs. It buys the young guy time without a new draft pick, breathing down his neck right away.

1:02Latest word is, Howard still got to prove himself big time, especially beating our Rudolph for that backup spot if Rodgers gets hurt. Steelers see 2027 as a stack draft class anyway, so no panic moves now. Bottom line. Pittsburgh's betting on internal growth for now, watching Howard step up, while Rodgers holds the fort one more year. Keeps the QB room steady heading into camp.