Who's rising and who's falling after the Steelers' second preseason game against the Jets? - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The New York Jets secured a 17-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers during their second preseason game on August 21, 2026. The matchup was characterized by a complete shutout of the Pittsburgh offense, as reported by ESPN in its game recap. A central focal point of the contest was the performance of Steelers quarterback Will Howard, who struggled significantly during the first half. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, Howard threw two interceptions in the first half of the game, providing opportunities for a Jets defense that coverage described as interception-starved. This poor offensive showing extended to other players, with ESPN noting that both Will Howard and Allar sputtered during what was described as a preseason dud for the Pittsburgh organization. Coverage from several major outlets emphasizes the divergent trajectories for the two teams following the game.

The New York Times focused on the positive momentum of the New York Jets, encouraging readers to get excited about the promise displayed by the Jets offense. Conversely, NBC Sports highlighted the precarious position of Will Howard, stating that his two interceptions could jeopardize his current roster spot in Pittsburgh. Yahoo Sports provided additional takeaways from the Jets' win, while Steelers.com offered internal perspectives, featuring commentary from Labriola regarding the loss and a 'Quick 6' analysis from Batko concerning the game's events. Contextually, this game serves as a critical evaluation period for the Steelers' quarterback depth chart. USA Today reported that the struggles experienced by Will Howard are viewed as great news for Mason Rudolph, suggesting a shift in the internal hierarchy of the team's passing game. The inability of the Steelers to score a single point against the Jets underscores a lack of offensive cohesion in the early preseason stages.

For the Jets, the victory provides a benchmark for their offensive efficiency and defensive opportunism heading into the regular season, contrasting sharply with the instability currently facing the Pittsburgh backfield. Looking ahead, the primary point of interest is whether Will Howard can recover from his first-half mistakes to secure his place on the team. Observers will be monitoring if the Steelers make adjustments to their quarterback rotation to favor Mason Rudolph following the results of this matchup. Additionally, the Jets will look to maintain the offensive promise noted by The New York Times. The Steelers organization continues to process the loss through official channels, as evidenced by the reports from Steelers.com, while the broader sports media remains focused on the winners and losers emerging from this specific preseason encounter.