Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Sees “Perfect” Scenario Involving Aaron Rodgers And Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter a new chapter in their franchise's storied history in 2026. For the first time in almost two decades, the team has a new head coach in Mike McCarthy. With McCarthy has come a lot of talk of the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, reuniting the two from their time with the Green Bay Packers. While some want to see the organization shift its focus to finding a new franchise quarterback, a perfect scenario may be playing out according to former legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That scenario is a year late, but it involves Will Howard.

On a recent episode of his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, the legendary Steelers quarterback discussed how Rodgers returning could be a great scenario for the team. He also mentioned how it is a good situation for the chances of Howard as the team's future quarterback. Roethlisberger mentioned the injury to Howard last year and how this scenario comes just a year behind schedule.

"I have no inside information. I think Aaron is going to come back," Roethlisberger said. "Just an inkling. No real reason why. I think Aaron comes back, which tells me you don't need a quarterback. You have Aaron and you have Will Howard backing him up and that's exactly what you wanted going into last year before Will broke his hand."

While many around the football world want the Steelers to just move on from the Rodgers chapter following the drama that led up to him signing with the Black and Gold in June of 2025, this is a golden opportunity for all involved. Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, as well as a Super Bowl champion, could work alongside Howard while also likely giving the organization its best chance to win in 2026. Rodgers returning would mean Pittsburgh is not just pushing the reset button entirely in 2026, making them a legitimate contender again for the AFC North. It also works as a great scenario for them to bridge the gap to their future if they do have high hopes for Howard to take over when he is ready.

Howard won a College Football Playoff National Championship in his final collegiate year at Ohio State University. However, due to the injury Roethlisberger eluded to, Howard did not see any playing time in the 2025 season in Pittsburgh. This potential bridge year for Howard would not only allow him to at least get some preseason reps in while learning under Rodgers, but also adapt to the new style under McCarthy as Pittsburgh's head coach.

Steelers' Delayed Plan Can Benefit All Parties Involved

While this may have been the organization's exact plan all along last year, those plans were quickly spoiled with the hand injury that Howard sustained in training camp. However, the organization is reported to have faith in Howard, despite wanting Rodgers to return, so the Rodgers and McCarthy tandem could be the perfect mentoring system for the 24-year old. One more year, injury-free, under a Super Bowl winning coach and quarterback tandem can help the Steelers  ease the training wheels off of Howard in the NFL and set him up to be Pittsburgh's starter in 2027 if they truly believe they have something there.

While the old saying goes "a day late and a dollar short," this could in fact be the opposite in Pittsburgh for Howard. 

Even if he had not gone down to injury last year causing him to see no playing time at all, Pittsburgh clearly needs wide receiver help. With rumors of that said help coming in both the 2026 NFL Draft and in free agency, it would allow whoever they bring in, time to adjust to the McCarthy system, as well as aid whoever is going to be under center for Pittsburgh in 2026.

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