PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) \u2013 While Aaron Rodgers not yet deciding if he is playing is making many in the fanbase impatient, it isn\u2019t with the Steelers, yet. Rather it\u2019s creating opportunities for Will Howard, and Mason Rudolph, to lead the new offense.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYou play quarterback in this league, the opportunity to command the huddle and be the guy, those reps are so valuable,\u201d said Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy after the second day of on-field work with the team on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
McCarthy said Rudolph, with 34 games of NFL experience, and Howard with none, not even in the preseason, split time leading the first team the first two days. Pretty much everyone else is there for the first on-field installation of the new Steelers offense. So, an opportunity, more so for Howard, to prove it to himself and build some trust with his teammates.<\/p>\n
His veteran head coach again praised the work of the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s done a really good job, most rookies go through it,\u201d McCarthy said of Howard adjusting to the NFL. \u201cThey go to pro football and they say I played at Ohio State or I played at a big-time place, won the national championship. I think you realize that everybody in the locker room has a level of physical gifts, special individuals.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI think that the level of conditioning and preparation, I know just meeting with him in January compared to today, he\u2019s had a really good offseason before the offseason. He\u2019s in much better shape. I\u2019ve been very impressed with his movement skills.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been very impressed (overall).\u201d<\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t a competition between the two at this point in early offseason work, according to McCarthy. He said they are trying to get both as many reps as possible calling the drill work ‘critical\u2019. That drill work leads to improvement and the competition is really for each player to improve.<\/p>\n
McCarthy said he\u2019s enjoying his time with both quarterbacks, but he wants to add to the group.<\/p>\n