3 best Will Howard trade destinations after Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers return

The moment Aaron Rodgers recommitted to Pittsburgh, the conversation around the Steelers’ quarterback room changed entirely. Suddenly, the idea of exploring Will Howard trade destinations started sounding inevitable. Pittsburgh now finds itself with a veteran Hall of Famer entrenched as the starter. Mason Rudolph serves as a trusted insurance policy. Drew Allar waits in the wings as the organization’s long-term developmental investment. That leaves Howard stranded in the middle of a crowded quarterback ecosystem with very little path toward meaningful snaps. If the Steelers truly want to maximize roster value before the regular season begins, moving Howard could become one of the smartest business decisions they make all year.

Reshaping the offensive future

For years, Pittsburgh leaned heavily on defensive identity and physical trench football. That changed dramatically during the spring selection process. The organization made it clear it no longer wanted to simply survive offensively. It wanted sustainability. That philosophical pivot became obvious when the Steelers aggressively targeted quarterback Drew Allar in the third round.

Allar’s size, arm strength, and developmental upside immediately signaled Pittsburgh’s desire to secure a potential long-term answer at the position. The Steelers also invested heavily in offensive weaponry. They acquired playmakers capable of stretching defenses vertically and creating easier throwing windows.

Pittsburgh wanted both immediate competitiveness and future security. The problem, however, is that this new quarterback hierarchy created collateral damage. Howard suddenly became expendable once the Steelers allocated premium resources elsewhere. Then Rodgers returned and completely slammed the door shut.

Erasing quarterback uncertainty

Any lingering mystery surrounding Pittsburgh’s short-term plans disappeared the instant Rodgers signed his massive one-year extension. The four-time MVP remains firmly in control of the offense heading into another AFC North war campaign. Despite his age, Rodgers still played well last season. Just as importantly, Mike McCarthy’s arrival restored familiarity and stability to Rodgers’ environment.

This situation leaves Howard trapped in quarterback purgatory. Pittsburgh simply has no practical reason to carry four quarterbacks with overlapping developmental timelines. Especially not when another franchise might be willing to offer valuable draft compensation for a player who still possesses legitimate upside. And several teams make enormous sense.

New York Giants

The Giants immediately stand out as perhaps the most fascinating destination. Yes, the organization already has Jaxson Dart to serve as a potential long-term centerpiece. However, quarterback competitions are rarely as settled as franchises pretend publicly. Behind Dart, the Giants still lack proven developmental depth capable of creating true internal pressure.

Howard would instantly change that dynamic. More importantly, the Giants’ offensive system has historically worked well with bigger quarterbacks who can extend plays. Howard’s physical frame and willingness to attack intermediate throwing windows fit naturally within that philosophy.

The Giants also remain desperate for offensive stability. MetLife Stadium can swallow young quarterbacks whole if they are not mentally tough. Howard already proved during his collegiate career that he can handle enormous pressure environments and constant scrutiny. That matters tremendously in New York.

New York Jets

Also in the same vicinity, the Jets might actually represent the cleanest football fit for Howard. Aaron Glenn’s rebuilding project still lacks a definitive long-term offensive centerpiece at quarterback. Sure, the organization addressed multiple roster holes during the offseason. However, there remains enormous uncertainty surrounding the future of the position.

Howard could help stabilize that uncertainty behind veteran Geno Smith. Howard’s physical tools and composure under pressure align perfectly with what the Jets want to build. He is not a reckless gunslinger dependent entirely on improvisation. Instead, he plays with structure, toughness, and rhythm. Those traits often translate well to developing teams trying to establish offensive identity.

The Jets also desperately need quarterback depth capable of surviving the brutality of the AFC East. Buffalo’s pass rush remains terrifying. Miami’s speed creates constant shootout pressure. New England’s defensive structure under Mike Vrabel looks increasingly dangerous. New York cannot afford to remain directionless offensively while the rest of the division evolves.

Howard could develop organically inside a system featuring legitimate weapons while giving the franchise a credible contingency plan if things unravel during the season. Few destinations offer that combination of opportunity and patience.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons may be the most underrated fit on this list. Atlanta possesses one of the league’s most intriguing collections of offensive skill talent. And yet, the organization still feels stuck between timelines. The current quarterback situation offers competency, but not necessarily long-term security.

Howard’s skill set would mesh beautifully with Atlanta’s offensive infrastructure. The Falcons already feature explosive perimeter weapons and a strong running game. Perhaps most importantly, Atlanta would allow Howard to develop without suffocating expectations.

Similar to the Giants, the Falcons could view Howard as strong competition to push Michael Penix Jr. Unlike New York, though, every incompletion would not dominate headlines for three straight days. Unlike Pittsburgh, Howard would not sit trapped behind multiple established veterans. Instead, he could grow gradually inside a relatively stable ecosystem while competing for future opportunities.

For the Falcons, who want sustained quarterback insurance and stability, taking a calculated swing on Howard feels entirely reasonable.

Need to act quickly

Quarterback value changes rapidly across the NFL landscape. Right now, Howard still carries intrigue as a developmental player with size and system versatility. Once training camp fully begins and depth charts solidify, though, Pittsburgh’s leverage could shrink significantly.

That is why the Steelers should seriously explore trade possibilities now. Rodgers’ return effectively eliminated ambiguity. Allar represents the future. Rudolph remains the safety blanket. Howard has become the luxury Pittsburgh no longer truly needs.

Somewhere across the league, a quarterback-needy franchise may view him as far more than just depth. That possibility alone makes a trade increasingly difficult to ignore.

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