Steelers QB Will Howard Gets Harsh Reality Check From Former NFL GM Doug Whaley

The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of questions to answer when it comes to their roster in the 2026 offseason. With several positions that still need to be addressed, the quarterback position is also still up in the air while they await an answer from Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is a controversial topic among many, as some welcome the experience he provides at the position, while others want to see what the organization may have in sixth-round pick, Will Howard. Howard did not see any playing time in 2025, mostly due to injury. A former NFL general manager provided insight as to why he may never see it in Pittsburgh.

Former NFL general manager Doug Whaley was on the 93.7 the Fan Morning Show Wednesday and provided some details on the situation given his prior experience as an NFL executive. With Rodgers reportedly expected to give the Steelers an answer on a possible return to Pittsburgh and reunion with new head coach Mike McCarthy, Whaley does not seem to think Howard would be the backup plan if Rodgers decides against returning. His thoughts on the situation made perfect sense to many fans.

"You can say whatever you want, but actions speak louder than words," Whaley said. "And actions speak louder than words on the whole NFL. And I'm not saying Will Howard may not blossom into something, but whatever it is, the 32 teams did not think he was higher than a sixth-round pick. And as much as they liked him, they still didn't invest that much into him to say that they really liked him." 

Whaley's point about Howard being taken that late are not entirely relevant. One thing to note of late-round quarterback picks is that they do not always become afterthoughts. The New England Patriots drafted Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft in the sixth round. The San Francisco 49ers also drafted quarterback Brock Purdy with the 262nd overall pick, which was the last of the 2022 draft and gave Purdy the nickname of "Mr. Irrelevant."

That is not an endorsement of Howard or to suggest he will live up to the billing of Brady, let alone Purdy. However, he should not just immediately be dismissed because of where he was picked. What does hold large significance in what Whaley pointed out, is the Steelers did not invest much in him to suggest that they really liked him or he stood out to them. 

Steelers' Previous Draft Mistakes At Quarterback

The organization has an interesting history when it comes to drafting quarterbacks. Many hold the belief that the team passed on quarterback Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft with the 21st overall pick. Things seemingly came full circle, as the Steelers then went on to draft Kenny Pickett with 20th overall pick of the 2022 draft, the same one that saw Purdy get taken last overall. Purdy has made a Super Bowl appearance while Pickett has turned into a journeyman quarterback in the NFL.

Howard had an incredible end to his college career in 2024 at the Ohio State University. While leading the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff National Championship, Howard threw for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in his final year in college. Pickett was given a pretty long leash as quarterback in the Steel City. However, it is quite possible the organization had nightmares of what could have been with Marino. Should the Steelers ever give Howard a chance, he would not see as long of a leash as Pickett was given, and Whaley's comments back that. However, it appears that given their lack of investment in him, that chance may never come to fruition in Pittsburgh for Howard.

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