Steelers Add Will Howard to Quarterback Room Amidst Aaron Rodgers Speculation
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move that has fans buzzing and analysts speculating. With the selection of Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round (185th overall) of the NFL Draft, the Steelers have added a new face to their quarterback room. Howard joins former Kansas State teammate Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph, marking the first quarterback selection by the Steelers since they picked Kenny Pickett and Chris Oladokun in 2022.
But the quarterback conversation doesn’t end there. The Steelers have been vocal about their intention to bring four quarterbacks to training camp, leaving one spot open as they await a decision from none other than Aaron Rodgers. Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II hinted that the team “may get word soon” on Rodgers, who is currently a free agent after his release from the New York Jets.
Head coach Mike Tomlin added fuel to the fire, telling NFL Network, “That’s certainly a possibility,” when asked about adding Rodgers. “I’m not going to forecast the ifs and whens regarding not only him, but any other potential free agent. We’ve had really productive talks with him, and I’ve enjoyed having productive talks with him and getting to know him.”
So, what does Will Howard bring to the table? The Steelers have landed a quarterback with a national championship-winning pedigree. Howard’s performance during the playoffs was nothing short of impressive, throwing for 630 yards, five touchdowns, and completing 74% of his pass attempts. His overall season stats are equally noteworthy: a 73% completion rate, 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, helping the Buckeyes to a 14-2 record.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith couldn’t hide his excitement, saying, “You see him in the big moments of critical possession downs, even in the national championship game, momentum plays to kind of end the game. Extremely excited to work with Will.”
Howard is also the second Ohio State player drafted by the Steelers this year, following the selection of outside linebacker Jack Sawyer in the fourth round. Howard expressed his enthusiasm about reuniting with Sawyer, stating, “Jack and I are about as close as two guys could be. I always said throughout this process — one of these Ohio State guys, I’m going to end up with one of them. And man, I’m so glad that Captain Jack and I are going to Pittsburgh together.”
Howard’s college career, including four seasons at Kansas State, saw him pass for 9,795 yards, 83 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions, with a completion rate of 63.8%. Steelers Nation Radio reported that any quarterback added through the draft would likely be a developmental project, a challenge Howard is ready to embrace.
“It’s not a matter of what happens out on the field or if I play right away, it’s about getting better and it’s about learning,” Howard said. “And whoever is in the room with me, whoever is there competing with us, I just cannot wait to delve into this situation and to really give my all to this team, because that’s how I do things, man. I don’t do things half in, I go all in, and I have every expectation that this next step with the Pittsburgh Steelers is going to be amazing for me.”
Interestingly, the Steelers didn’t host Howard on a predraft visit, but they did have a formal interview with him at the NFL scouting combine and shared a dinner the night before his pro day in Columbus. Smith shared his impressions, “When you get to spend time with somebody, you get to learn what they’re about and really how they interact with their teammates, what other people think about ’em at the facility. I came away, all of us did, just extremely impressed with Will.”
- Will Howard joins the Steelers as a sixth-round pick.
- The team is still waiting on Aaron Rodgers’ decision.
- Howard’s college stats are impressive, with a 73% completion rate last season.
- Howard reunites with Ohio State teammate Jack Sawyer in Pittsburgh.
As the Steelers continue to shape their roster, the addition of Will Howard and the potential signing of Aaron Rodgers could make for an exciting season ahead. Steelers fans, stay tuned!
Originally Written by: ESPN
