Mark Madden, the outspoken voice for Pittsburgh sports, just dropped a truth bomb on the Steelers' backup quarterback situation, coming right out and calling the number two spot "Howard's job to lose" for Will Howard. If you're a Mason Rudolph fan, that's gotta sting, because Madden pretty much sealed his fate.
Madden Says Exhibition Games Will Be a 'Gold Mine' for Howard
Madden didn't hold back on his "Madden Monday" podcast, laying out exactly what he thinks is going down. He declared, "Do you know what’s going to be a gold mine this year? Steelers exhibition games because of Will Howard." This isn't just a casual opinion either, he doubled down saying, "I think it’s Will Howard’s job to lose: No. 2 QB. I don’t agree with it, necessarily. But I think that’s how it is." That's a strong statement, and it means the competition for that backup role is basically over before it really even began for some guys.The Numbers Are Getting Hard to Ignore For the Steelers QB Room
So, what about the other guys in the quarterback room? Madden cleared that up too. Drew Allar is locked in as the number three guy, "no matter what," because the Steelers aren't cutting a third-round draft pick. That means the real battle is just between Howard and Rudolph for the number two spot. Madden confirmed it's "down to Howard and Rudolph for No. 2. I think that’s the consensus." Head Coach McCarthy isn't going to keep four quarterbacks, and with Howard projected as the top backup already this offseason, Madden's comments just highlight what's looking obvious to some. Rudolph could be the one on the outside looking in. This entire situation means Steelers fans really need to keep their eyes glued to training camp. This positional battle is heating up, and while Madden says the writing's on the wall, seeing it play out will be essential. What will Mason Rudolph do to fight for that spot, or is his time in Pittsburgh truly coming to an end as Howard steps into that #2 role?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.