As final 53-man roster cuts approach across the NFL, public posture often diverges sharply from internal strategy. On the surface, the Pittsburgh Steelers maintain they are perfectly comfortable carrying four quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Drew Allar, and Will Howard. However, it’s possible that beneath that public confidence lies a calculated front-office gambit designed to build trade leverage around Howard rather than risk losing him on waivers for nothing.
Slotted as QB3/QB4 on the depth chart, Howard’s fate rests on his final preseason showcase against the Buffalo Bills. A strong performance won't necessarily convince Pittsburgh to burn an extra roster spot, but it could compel a QB-needy rival to make an offer.
“Locked On Steelers”
host Christopher Carter outlined the strategy behind Pittsburgh’s public stance.
"I still maintain this is just their posture to be out to pose it out to the NFL saying, 'Hey, we really, really like our four quarterbacks, so we're not going to give them to you,'" Carter explained. "And then, therefore, if someone really wants one or there's a trade talk, it's like, ‘hey, we actually kind of want our guys, so you got to give us a little more than just a seventh-round pick.’"
While Rodgers secures the starting role, Rudolph holds the top backup spot, and rookie Allar represents a long-term developmental project, Howard’s upside makes him valuable currency. Not to mention how carrying four quarterbacks imposes severe structural strain on other positions, making a trade the ideal exit strategy.
"If Will Howard plays well enough, maybe he sparks someone's interest, and they say, ‘we'll give you a sixth for him or a fifth,'" Carter noted. "And then boom, you get some trade compensation for him."
If Howard delivers against Buffalo, it’s possible general manager Omar Khan turns that public posture into day-three draft assets before final cutdowns arrive.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Why the Steelers are secretly posturing to trade a quarterback
