PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were throws that were really encouraging, but it was a pair of passes that sunk Will Howard’s first NFL start, albeit preseason Friday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Howard threw a pair of interceptions, both in Jets territory in the first half of a 17-0.
Detailing Will Howard's 1st half vs Jets
“I felt really comfortable in the pocket,” Howard said. “I felt like I was going through my progressions well, especially early first and second down. Felt good about how I played, but those two turnovers really make it sour.”
“We’re making progress, we’re getting the ball down there. We just got to be able to finish.”
“That’s unacceptable.”
Howard said he needs to learn from it and be better next week finishing 10-15, 74 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a 38.6 quarterback rating.
Next week might be it. Depending on how many quarterbacks the Steelers keep, what Howard does against the Bills Thursday could determine if he stays on the roster.
Steelers game breakdown in loss to Jets
“The biggest thing is just getting to the film and not letting these mistakes fester, not letting one mistake turn into more,” Howard said. “Cleaning up these mistakes I’ve made, and we’ve made, not letting them happen again.”
Last year’s sixth-round pick said he won’t be freaked out by the interceptions.
“I’ve played quarterback my whole life,” Howard said. “I’ve thrown a lot of interceptions. It comes with the game. I feel like I’ve been through enough and seen enough that getting down isn’t going to help anything. It’s all about how you come back.”
Howard said he has ‘intrusive confidence’, believing in himself no matter what. He was appreciative of the support from his teammates.
“Patting me on the helmet (saying) ‘we got you’,” Howard said. “I got to give a shoutout to them for picking me up.”
He said bad things happen in football, but you can’t blink. Howard added if it were a regular-season game, he would have the whole game and an opportunity to come back in the second half. McCarthy didn’t give him that, playing Drew Allar, as scheduled before the game, in the second half.
McCarthy said before the Jets game he didn’t need to see Mason Rudolph play. He had seen enough and praised his work throughout camp. Allar will make the team as the third-round pick even if he didn’t play well either on Friday.
What becomes of Will Howard?
It still might be in his control, but there’s only one game opportunity left.
2nd year quarterback describes his game vs. Jets
2nd year quarterback describes his game vs. Jets
