The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation had many curious in the 2025 offseason. In fact, it has been that way ever since the iconic Ben Roethlisberger decided he had to hang up his cleats. The Steelers have been stuck in limbo, trying to bridge the gap between the now and the future. In an effort to stabilize the position, the team signed 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has largely helped the team maintain competitiveness and provide leadership in the locker room.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph in the locker room before a Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots during the 2025 season.
During the Week 11, 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Rodgers suffered a left wrist injury and was forced to sit out the second half, despite trying to continue playing. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped in and guided the Steelers to a 6-4 record in the 2025 season. Rudolph’s performance gave the team some stability, but the injury to Rodgers has sparked discussions about the future of the position and the potential for the Steelers’ younger talent to step up.
Speaking on his podcast, Footballin, on Tuesday night, Roethlisberger shared why this injury could actually be a major opportunity for rookie quarterback Will Howard. While no football fan ever wants to see an injury, Roethlisberger noted that it can present a unique chance for a young player to prove themselves. He believes Howard is on the verge of taking full advantage of this moment, and it could serve as the springboard for his development as the future leader of the Steelers’ offense.
"You know what, the great news is that Will Howard is now available to come in," Roethlisberger said when speaking on his podcast on Tuesday night. "You have him now as your backup. Steeler Nation should be excited because you don’t know what is gonna happen next year with Aaron, and I know we aren’t trying to look to tell the future, but what is Aaron gonna do next year? Is he done?"
After the Steelers drafted Howard, Roethlisberger was super excited. He even had Howard on his podcast to talk about his future. Roethlisberger has made it clear that he sees the potential in the sixth-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he had been worried about Howard’s chances with the Steelers due to the team’s quarterback situation.
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Steelers QB Will Howard looks in the direction of Ben Roethlisberger as he joined him as a guest on his podcast Footbahlin.
Now, with the recent injury to Rodgers, Howard has been presented with a major opportunity, and Roethlisberger believes Steelers fans should be thrilled about what the rookie could bring to the team.
"The only way Will Howard was actually gonna get reps this year, since he got hurt, was if either Aaron got hurt or wasn’t playing well," Roethlisberger said. "You knew he wasn’t going to not play well. This gives Steeler Nation a quick glimpse into what could be the future. At least, if nothing else, Will’s gonna get practice reps. He’s gonna be able to run the scout team and the number two reps in practice… maybe this is a good thing for them."
Steelers May Not Draft QB In 2026 According To Big Ben
The Steelers were expected to draft their potential franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, Roethlisberger thinks this opportunity for Howard may change that plan.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
If Howard can show the coaching staff even a glimpse of potential in practice, they might reconsider drafting another quarterback, at least in Roethlisberger’s eyes.
Do you think Will Howard can take advantage of this unexpected opportunity and use it to prove himself, potentially shaping the future of the Steelers at quarterback, or is this just a small moment blown out of proportion by fans and the media? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
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