INDIANAPOLIS — Much of the time Omar Khan spent speaking to local and national media on Tuesday was spent on the topic of if Aaron Rodgers would return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026.

Khan, though, was equally effusive in talking about one of the other quarterbacks on last year’s roster.

“I like Will a lot,” the Steelers’ general manager said from the NFL combine site Tuesday.

That sentiment echoed what Mike McCarthy has repeated about Howard over his first month on the job as the Steelers’ new head coach.

The Steelers’ sixth-round pick last year after leading Ohio State to the national title, Howard impressed teammates and coaches with his smarts and willingness to learn and work. But a hand injury suffered during training camp prevented Howard from appearing in any live games in 2025.

Without the luxury of breaking down any game film, Khan said Tuesday that he and McCarthy have spent plenty of time watching how Howard performed in practice.

“There’s some exciting stuff to see,” Khan said. “We’re excited to work with Will.”

That might be the case, but if Rodgers returns (or some other veteran is acquired) and Mason Rudolph stays on as a backup (he is under contract and Khan on Tuesday said, “We think the world of Mason”), Howard might still have another young quarterback to compete against.

Khan would not rule out the Steelers taking a quarterback in next month’s draft. The quarterbacks will work out at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.

“Like all the fans are, we’re all searching for the next franchise player, the guy who’s going to be our quarterback for 10 or 15 years,” Khan said. “And you know, it might be Will, we don’t know.

“We all agree that we’re looking for that next franchise guy. We’re not there yet. We may have the guy on the roster. We don’t know. And Will, we’re excited to work with Will. But we know that it has to be addressed, and we’re all looking for the same thing. We’re just not there yet.”

With the No. 21 overall pick, the Steelers have no chance at presumed No. 1 selection Fernando Mendoza of Indiana. As most analysts’ boards stand now, the Steelers are in the range of Alabama’s Ty Simpson. A pack of several potential Day 2 QB draft picks comes to Indianapolis jockeying for position.

What is Khan looking for in his quest to identify that long-term franchise QB?

“There are several traits, but I’ll say we have to find the right quarterback that’s going to be an AFC North quarterback,” he said. “Playing in the AFC North, there’s nothing like it: cold weather, the rivalries of the division, the physicality of the division. So, it’s got to be an AFC North quarterback.”