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Will Howard or Mason Rudolph: Who Will Be QB2 Behind Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh?

Will Howard’s appeal lies in his dual-threat skill set and long-term ceiling. The former Kansas State standout has drawn comparisons to Josh Allen and Justin Fields thanks to his combination of size, mobility, and toughness.

In limited OTA action, Howard impressed coaches with his command of the huddle and work ethic. Steelers insiders believe Howard may be the “Rodgers successor in waiting”, a player who can learn behind the scenes for a year before taking over in 2026.

At just 23 years old, Howard also fits Pittsburgh’s vision of building around young offensive talent — a shift marked by recent additions like DK Metcalf and an overhauled offensive line.

As QB Will Howard begins new chapter with Steelers, he's still 'the guy' in  Ohio: 'I'm always going to have a home here' - Yahoo Sports

But Mason Rudolph isn’t ready to concede anything. After years of bouncing between backup and starter roles, Rudolph has earned trust in the Steelers building. He’s familiar with the offense, has started multiple games, and is seen as a steady hand should Rodgers miss time.

During Rodgers’ rest days at minicamp, Rudolph took the lion’s share of first-team reps. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith praised his “readiness” and “maturity in leading the unit.”

Rudolph’s greatest asset might be his ability to keep the team afloat midseason, especially if Rodgers were to miss games due to injury or rest management.

Mason Rudolph's story of perseverance takes a turn as the Steelers put  their season in his hands | AP News

The battle between Howard and Rudolph may seem like a simple depth chart decision, but it carries long-term weight. If the Steelers truly view Howard as the next franchise quarterback, giving him limited in-game reps behind Rodgers this year could be vital.

Conversely, if Pittsburgh is in “win-now mode” — and all signs point to yes — Rudolph’s experience may be prioritized.

“It’s not just about who’s next in line,” one insider said. “It’s about who helps you win if Rodgers misses a quarter, a game, or more.”

As training camp approaches, the competition is expected to heat up. Rodgers is clearly QB1, but behind him, the Howard vs. Rudolph battle will be one of the most watched in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are preparing for the future — but they’re also protecting the present.

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Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!