Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gives Important Update On Rookie QB Will Howard's Recovery

The Pittsburgh Steelers had some pundits convinced they would take a big swing for the fences earlier in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers didn’t, but when the sixth round came around and National Champion quarterback Will Howard was still sitting on the board, Pittsburgh wasted no time selecting him with the 185th overall pick. The move immediately generated far more buzz than any typical sixth-rounder, with fans and analysts alike intrigued by the idea of the Steelers adding a proven winner with championship pedigree to their quarterback room.

Howard’s early momentum, however, came to a sudden halt in August when he suffered a fracture to a small bone in his throwing hand. The injury sidelined him throughout the preseason, stalling the excitement around his debut. 

For a young quarterback hoping to make an impression in camp, the timing couldn’t have been worse, as every missed rep meant a lost opportunity to showcase his skill set in a crowded quarterback competition. Despite the setback, the Steelers made it clear they remained optimistic about his development and viewed him as a long-term project rather than a player they expected to contribute immediately.

On Monday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin offered a positive update, saying Howard is "moving in the right direction" toward full participation. That optimism only grew when a video surfaced on social media, shared by 93.7 The Fan, showing Howard taking some light reps in street clothes during practice. 

While he is still easing back into action, the sight of the rookie quarterback back on the field reassured fans that his recovery is on track. With patience and proper development, Howard’s story in Pittsburgh may be just beginning, and his return will be one of the more intriguing subplots to follow as the regular season approaches.

The Steelers are going to be a very popular team to talk about during the 2025 NFL season. This is largely thanks to Aaron Rodgers deciding to spend what will likely be his final season in the NFL in the Steel City. Rodgers, now 41 years old, is hopeful to go out on a high note by leading this Steelers team back to glory. Whether that’s possible or not remains to be seen, but that is certainly the hope.

Steelers' Skylar Thompson Outplayed Mason Rudolph In The Preseason

Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are competing for the QB2 spot. It once looked as if Rudolph had it locked up, but Thompson outperformed him in the preseason, and some seriously believe he deserves to be Rodgers’ backup now. Rudolph definitely had some rough moments in August, including a pair of costly interceptions that raised questions about his reliability.

The quarterback situation is tricky, especially with Howard starting the season hurt. Steelers insiders expect him to begin the year on injured reserve, which would allow Pittsburgh to keep Rodgers, Rudolph, and Thompson all on the 53-man roster. The Steelers could even use Thompson as trade bait if they find a willing partner, and stashing Howard on IR buys them valuable time to explore options in a quarterback-hungry league.

As the season draws closer, many NFL teams will become desperate for reliable backup options. Thompson brings both playoff starting experience and regular season reps to the table. While his tape hasn’t always been impressive, his strong preseason performance may be enough for the Steelers to generate some trade value for him.

On a scale of 1-10, how much confidence do you have that Will Howard could turn into a reliable quarterback in this league? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

#SteelerNation