Steelers Let Mason Rudolph and Will Howard Finish the Regular Season as Quarterback Decision Looms
PITTSBURGH — With the regular season nearing its conclusion, the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading toward one of the most consequential decisions of their year — and possibly their immediate future. Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ staff are allowing Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard to finish the regular season, setting up a high-stakes evaluation period that could determine who leads the offense when it matters most.
Rather than rushing to declare a clear-cut starter, the Steelers appear committed to letting performance, preparation, and composure decide the outcome. It’s a move that reflects both urgency and uncertainty, as Pittsburgh balances playoff hopes with long-term planning at the most important position in football.
A Season Defined by Instability at Quarterback
Quarterback stability has been elusive for the Steelers this season. Injuries, inconsistency, and offensive growing pains have forced the coaching staff to adapt on the fly. Now, as the regular season reaches its final stretch, Pittsburgh finds itself in a rare position: two quarterbacks with vastly different profiles competing in real time.
Mason Rudolph, the veteran, represents familiarity. He understands the system, the locker room, and the expectations of the franchise. When called upon, Rudolph has delivered steady, if unspectacular, performances — limiting mistakes and keeping the offense functional.
Will Howard, on the other hand, represents possibility. The rookie brings mobility, arm strength, and upside that the Steelers have been searching for. While his inexperience has shown at times, flashes of confidence and creativity have sparked optimism among fans and coaches alike.
Rather than choosing between safety and upside prematurely, the Steelers are choosing patience.
Why the Steelers Are Letting It Play Out
According to team sources, the decision to let both quarterbacks finish the regular season is intentional. The coaching staff wants to see how each player handles meaningful snaps, late-game situations, and defensive adjustments — especially under pressure.
“This isn’t about naming a starter for the sake of clarity,” one team insider said. “It’s about answering questions that only real game situations can answer.”
Those questions include:
- Who protects the football better?
- Who commands the huddle?
- Who elevates the players around him?
- Who can execute when the game tightens late?
With the margin for error shrinking, the Steelers believe this approach gives them the best chance to identify the right leader for potential postseason football.
Rudolph’s Case: Experience and Control
Rudolph’s advantage lies in his experience. He’s seen NFL defenses, navigated adversity, and earned the respect of veterans in the locker room. His understanding of protections and situational football has helped stabilize an offense that has struggled to find rhythm.
Coaches trust Rudolph to run the system as designed. He doesn’t force throws, and he’s comfortable managing the game when the defense sets the tone — a familiar Steelers formula.
Critics argue that Rudolph’s ceiling is known. Supporters counter that reliability matters more than upside when playoff spots are at stake.
Howard’s Case: Energy and Future Promise
Howard’s argument is different — and louder.
The rookie has injected energy into the offense with his mobility and willingness to challenge defenses vertically. His ability to extend plays has created opportunities that haven’t always existed in the Steelers’ passing game this season.
While mistakes have come with the territory, coaches see a quarterback who is learning quickly and responding to coaching. Teammates have noted Howard’s confidence and command, even as a first-year player.
For an organization thinking not just about this season but the next several years, Howard represents a potential long-term solution.
A Locker Room Watching Closely
Inside the locker room, players have remained publicly supportive of both quarterbacks. Privately, they understand what’s at stake.
Veterans want clarity. Young players want momentum. Everyone wants wins.
Mike Tomlin has emphasized competition as a cornerstone of the Steelers’ culture, and this quarterback situation reflects that philosophy.
“We’re going to let performance speak,” Tomlin said earlier this week. “That’s how you build trust.”
The Pressure of the Moment
As the regular season winds down, every snap carries extra weight. Defensive coordinators will test both quarterbacks aggressively, forcing quick decisions and composure under fire.
The Steelers’ remaining games are not just contests — they are auditions.
For Rudolph, it’s a chance to prove he can still be the answer when called upon.
For Howard, it’s an opportunity to show that the future can arrive faster than expected.
What Comes Next
The Steelers have not indicated when a final decision will be made. That ambiguity is intentional. Coaches want as much information as possible before committing — especially if postseason football is on the line.
One thing is clear: the decision won’t be based on potential alone, nor will it be rooted solely in familiarity. It will be based on trust — who the coaching staff believes gives Pittsburgh the best chance to win now.
A Defining Moment for the Franchise
Quarterback decisions define franchises. For the Steelers, this one arrives at a crossroads between tradition and transition.
Letting Mason Rudolph and Will Howard finish the regular season isn’t indecision — it’s evaluation under pressure. And in Pittsburgh, pressure has a way of revealing truth.
By the time the regular season ends, the Steelers won’t just know who their quarterback is.
They’ll know who they believe in.
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