The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new head coach, Mike McCarthy, has made it clear he likes what they have in Will Howard. That belief marks a shift from the previous regime, which was focused on maximizing a short championship window rather than developing from within. McCarthy has spoken openly about Howard’s poise, arm talent, and willingness to learn, all traits he values highly at the quarterback position. While Howard entered the league without much fanfare, the new coaching staff sees untapped potential that could reshape the team’s long-term plans.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Of course, the Steelers’ former head coach, Mike Tomlin, went all in to land Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season. The results were mixed but mostly productive, as the Steelers went 10–7, won the AFC North, and returned to the playoffs. That success came to a sudden halt with a 24-point loss at home in the first round however, a disappointing ending that left the organization at a crossroads. Tomlin ultimately stepped away, closing a long and accomplished chapter in franchise history.
Now McCarthy has taken over the team, and he brings a reputation for developing quarterbacks that has fueled optimism around Howard, the 2025 sixth-round pick. A sixth-round quarterback becoming the future of the franchise is a bold idea, but it is possible. Another option also emerged at the Senior Bowl, according to Steelers insider Chris Carter, giving Pittsburgh flexibility as it evaluates its next move at the position. That’s right, Carter believes the Steelers could take another great value swing in the seventh round and land North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton.
“The Steelers pass on quarterback early in this class, but take a shot on Payton as a training camp arm who can challenge Will Howard,” Carter said. “Payton didn’t impress during Senior Bowl week, but his collegiate experience and tape show his potential as a decision-maker.”
While Carter stated that Payton didn’t impress during Senior Bowl week, there were some other pundits in attendance who felt differently. One was CBS analyst Dave Richard, who was boots on the ground as well and had high praise for Payton.Â
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NDSU QB Cole Payton hurdles over a defender during a college football game.
He isn’t NFL-ready yet, but is an interesting prospect for Pittsburgh, viewed as a potential seventh-round pick or UDFA.
“While Luke Altmyer and Diego Pavia operated their offenses well, and Taylen Green offers tantalizing upside, I thought Payton strung together the best three days of practice of any quarterback there,” Richard said. “The 6-foot-2, 229-pound passer threw with accuracy and anticipation, and he made — or tried to make — several off-schedule plays while avoiding pressure. Payton only ran a bit, choosing to show off his arm more than his legs this week after a dynamic 2025 season with the Bison. Is he NFL-ready? No, but no one at the Senior Bowl was. At minimum, Payton should be on the radar for teams looking for a ‘toolsy’ passer with a solid foundation to build from.”
That phrase from Richard about how Payton put together the best three days of practice out of any quarterback there is exciting. There were several more highly touted QBs at the Senior Bowl, so to see Payton stand out is eye-opening.Â
Steelers Could Have “Great Value” QB Competition Brewing
This does not mean the Steelers should or even need to draft him, but in the best-case scenario, they could try to bring him in after the draft. He is viewed as an under-the-radar prospect, similar to Howard, a low-risk, potentially high-reward type of quarterback.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers found great value in Howard, a sixth-round pick, and Payton offers similar potential. A QB competition between them could give Pittsburgh a chance to strike gold at the position.
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