The Steelers re-signed Aaron Rodgers and drafted Drew Allar this offseason, complicating matters for Will Howard. Although he was drafted a little over a year ago, he’d have to prove himself to make the roster, as the Steelers currently have four quarterbacks.

According to Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac, he’s doing just that.

“As the Steelers get ready for their second week of organized team activities, the difference in Howard compared to a year ago is palpable,” Dulac wrote Monday in an article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Everything about Howard looks smoother, faster, more comfortable, which the Steelers were hoping to see in Year 2.”

It’s still very early, but Dulac isn’t the only one raving about Howard so far. The new coaching staff talked up the young quarterback throughout the offseason, and they’re giving him reps to prove himself, which he seems to be running with.

Of course, it’s still just OTAs. It’s going to be a few months before the Steelers put pads on. It’s even longer until the first preseason game. This is something Howard didn’t participate in last year, not taking a preseason or regular-season snap. He finished his college career on a high note. But he hasn’t played an in-game snap since that national title game. That’s something to keep in mind with all the praise coming in.

However, we can still glean things from OTAs, especially regarding the quarterback position. Little things like commanding a huddle, communicating at the line of scrimmage, and understanding a new offense are all important. Each must happen with and without pads, and Howard seems to be on top of things so far.

As the summer progresses, Howard’s going to continue to get his chance. The Steelers are putting Mason Rudolph’s reps on the back burner as of now. And with Rodgers’ age and knowledge of Mike McCarthy’s system, most of the snaps, even into training camp, will go to Howard and Allar. As Mike McCarthy looks for his quarterback of the future, he’ll be working with those two very closely.

Rodgers’ and Allar’s roster spots are surely safe for 2026. Will Howard is battling with Rudolph for the backup role. But if he continues showing as much progress as it sounds like he’s making, he feels like a safe bet to win that job.