The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of a whirlwind offseason from the very start. Much of the attention has revolved around their ongoing quarterback situation, which dominated headlines for months due to the absence of a clear-cut starter. The uncertainty surrounding the position sparked endless speculation. Even with the recent acquisition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the conversations and scrutiny has not stopped. In fact, debates surrounding the team’s direction at quarterback have only continued to grow.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Prior to Rodgers signing with the team, much of the attention in Pittsburgh was focused on rookie quarterback Will Howard. Fans were interested to see whether he could develop into a long-term solution. However, that excitement was recently tempered during an appearance by reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala on 93.7 The Fan. While discussing a wide range of Steelers-related topics, the quarterback situation naturally came up. When the conversation shifted to Howard, Kinkhabwala revealed some insights that may not sit well with fans who were hoping to see the rookie make a serious push for the starting role at some point.
"From what I've been told right now, it would be a surprise should he [Howard] turn into a franchise quarterback for a decade," Kinkhabwala said.
This news might come as a surprise to some fans, especially those who were optimistic about Howard’s potential. However, for others, it may not be all that unexpected. Howard was selected late in the 2025 NFL Draft, going in the sixth round. This placed him well behind the more highly regarded quarterback prospects taken earlier, many of which were viewed as immediate-impact players.
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Steelers' Will Howard throws a pass during his final college season in 2024.
His late-round status has naturally raised questions about what kind of long-term role he might play for the Steelers. That said, being drafted later doesn’t automatically dictate a player’s future success or failure. While it certainly means the road ahead will be more challenging, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility that Howard could still develop into a productive and valuable quarterback at the professional level.
Howard has received a fair amount of praise from various people within the Steelers' organization, and one of his most notable supporters is none other than Rodgers himself. Rodgers has expressed genuine enthusiasm about mentoring the young quarterback throughout the upcoming season. Having the chance to learn from a future Hall of Famer is an incredible opportunity for any rookie, and even if it only lasts a year, the experience could prove to be invaluable for Howard's development.
While it’s highly unlikely that Howard will see the field in a regular season game this year (unless for an unexpected injury), it still represents a critical chapter in his football career. It’s a time for him to learn everything he can, soaking in knowledge from Rodgers, understanding the nuances of the professional level, and refining his skills behind the scenes. This season could very well lay the foundation for whatever future success he may achieve in the NFL.
Steelers' Howard Still Making The Most Of Minicamp
As the Steelers continue with their offseason programs, players across the roster are taking advantage of valuable practice time and development opportunities. While Rodgers is expected to end up taking the majority of first-team reps as the starting quarterback, Howard is still heavily involved, getting meaningful reps of his own. Though Howard may not see playing time this season, this time is far from wasted, it’s all about building for the future.
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Steelers' Will Howard at Organized Team Activities (OTAs) during the 2025 offseason in Pittsburgh.
The 2025 season will be less about immediate impact and more about long-term growth for the young quarterback. Coming off a National Championship victory in college, Howard enters the NFL with momentum, but he now faces the reality of transitioning to the professional level. It’s time to put in the work, focus on development, and absorb everything he can from the coaching staff and veteran teammates.
Do you think Howard has the potential to be a franchise quarterback for the Steelers? Comment below!
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