Will Howard Gives Steelers Clear Answer About Possibly Sitting Behind Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has been the major storyline all offseason. Many pundits believed the team would target a quarterback early in the draft, and they had several chances to do just that. Instead, the Steelers waited until the sixth round to select Will Howard, passing on more highly rated prospects. That move surprised many around the league and raised questions about whether the team is truly set on its long-term quarterback plan or simply betting on upside.

Howard has already generated excitement among the fan base with his physical tools and competitive mindset. However, there is still no clear timeline for when he will get meaningful opportunities. The biggest question mark remains Aaron Rodgers, who has been heavily linked to Pittsburgh for much of the offseason. Despite the rumors and growing speculation, Rodgers has yet to publicly announce his intentions, leaving the Steelers in a state of uncertainty.

On Tuesday, Howard appeared on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams and spoke about the possibility of sitting behind Rodgers. He said he would welcome the chance to learn from a future Hall of Famer and develop his game under a proven veteran. While fans are eager to see what Howard can do, his comments showed maturity and an understanding of the process it takes to become a starting quarterback in the NFL.

"Not really. He asked once or twice, and that name has been thrown around a lot," Howard said about his conversation with Ben Roethlisberger regarding Rodgers. "I grew up idolizing him [Aaron Rodgers]. I don’t know what is gonna happen. Who knows? That’s above my head, but I would love to be in a room and learn from him — but that’s above my head."

Adams asked Howard about his recent appearance on Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, where he joined the podcast alongside his college and now NFL teammate, Jack Sawyer. Both former Ohio State standouts were drafted by the Steelers in the later rounds and arrive in Pittsburgh fresh off a 2024 National Championship. The two hope to carry that winning pedigree into the NFL and help bring a championship culture to the Steel City.

Howard has faced plenty of questions about the looming Rodgers situation, and he has handled them with maturity and grace. However, make no mistake—Howard arrives in Pittsburgh with a chip on his shoulder. Though he was selected in the sixth round, he doesn’t carry himself like a late-round pick. He believes in his talent and is confident that he’ll make 31 other teams regret passing on him in the draft.

Despite that confident mindset, Howard understands the challenges of transitioning to the NFL. He knows how valuable it would be to sit behind a veteran like Rodgers and learn the nuances of the game. 

Even if Rodgers doesn’t end up in Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph is currently projected to start. Regardless of who is under center, Howard will benefit from a developmental year behind an experienced quarterback. Whether it’s Rodgers, Rudolph, or both, signs still point to Rodgers being the likely starter for the Steelers in 2025.

Steelers' Will Howard Hungry To Prove The NFL Wrong

Still, that doesn’t mean Howard is content staying in the background forever. He’s a competitor at heart, and deep down, he wants to prove he can lead a franchise. He has watched late-round quarterbacks like Brock Purdy and Tom Brady defy expectations, and he is using that as motivation. 

Steelers fans should keep an eye on Howard, not only for what he could become in the future but also for the possibility that he sees the field sooner than expected. If he continues to work hard, stay ready, and take advantage of every opportunity, he could emerge as one of the biggest surprises from this draft class.

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