Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Is Setting Himself Apart With His Devoted Commitment To Mentoring Rookie Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an incredibly active offseason, with a lot of major roster changes that have reshaped the team. One of the most significant areas of discussion was the quarterback position, which had a complete overhaul. For months, there was major talk and debate among fans and analysts about who the Steelers would bring in to lead the offense. The Steelers ultimately made a big move by signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal.

Recently, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly talked about all things Rodgers on a new episode of his podcast, Kaboly + Mack. A part of the conversation was about Rodgers’ dedication to mentoring rookie quarterback Will Howard during what is likely his final year in the NFL. Kaboly praised Rodgers for taking on this leadership role, saying that while Rodgers isn’t required to mentor Howard, he’s choosing to do it anyway, which showcases his commitment to the team and to Howard.

"He doesn't owe Will Howard, who he just met the other day a darn thing, but he's willing to do it," Kaboly said. 

Recently, Rodgers made his first appearance on The Pat McAfee Show as a member of the Steelers. While Rodgers has been a guest on the show in the past, this episode focused entirely on his new chapter in Pittsburgh. Among the many topics he shared, was his commitment to mentoring Howard. Although Rodgers is set to be the clear starter this season, it was encouraging, and even heartwarming, to hear that someone with his level of experience and football knowledge is willing to invest time in helping develop a young quarterback who likely won’t be his long-term teammate.

With Rodgers nearing the end of his career and Howard just beginning his, it’s widely understood that Howard likely won’t get any playing time this season. At the very least, he needs time to grow, learn the system, and develop into a future starter. The Steelers have seen firsthand how crucial it is to properly develop a young quarterback and appear committed to avoiding the mistakes of rushing that process again.

Despite the uncertainty, many fans are optimistic about Howard’s potential. Some concerns remain, especially since he was a sixth-round pick on the third day of the draft, making his long-term role with the team unclear, especially with reports that the Steelers are interested in the 2026 quarterback class. However, that doesn’t mean Howard won’t eventually become a starter or be successful. With a mentor like Rodgers mentoring him, there’s a real opportunity for Howard to make significant improvement in his development.

When Kaboly spoke about that particular point from Rodgers, he noted why it stood out to him, not just because Rodgers isn’t obligated to mentor a young quarterback, but because many others in similar positions haven’t. Kaboly specifically mentioned players like Joe Flacco, Brett Favre, and even Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger, that they had little interest in mentoring younger quarterbacks. Their reasoning often centered around being near retirement and wanting to focus solely on finishing their careers strong, rather than investing time in developing their eventual successors.

This is especially interesting because Rodgers has faced previous hate about being a difficult teammate or only looking out for himself. While much of that has been based on rumors rather than confirmed behavior, it has undoubtedly changed the public perception of him. However, since joining the Steelers, Rodgers has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and strong leadership, quickly earning respect within the organization.

Steelers Face Mounting Pressure For 2025

With all the speculation and ongoing conversation about the major moves the Steelers have made this offseason, the pressure is certainly mounting. The roster has gone through a significant transformation, and the team is aiming to stay competitive, not just in a challenging league, but in one of the toughest divisions in football. As the regular season approaches, the Steelers will need to step up, stay focused, and show the haters that this new roster is ready to compete at a high level.

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