Aaron Rodgers Answers Big Question As He Endorsed Steelers QB Will Howard: "Has What It Takes"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' fan base has had a lot of talk about former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Some see Howard as merely a possible backup quarterback, while others think he could eventually become a reliable starter or even the face of the franchise. It is a mixed bag when it comes to evaluating Howard’s potential, and the debate has only grown louder as fans try to imagine what he could bring to Pittsburgh.

That discussion got even stronger on Tuesday when Aaron Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. Rodgers, of course, was asked about his own uncertain future and whether he plans to play football in 2026 and if so whether it might be with the Steelers and Head Coach Mike McCarthy. No one truly knows what Rodgers will decide, but the questions set the stage for a moment that immediately caught the attention of football fans everywhere.

What Rodgers said about Howard, however, stole the spotlight. His comments were not just casual praise they carried weight coming from a future Hall of Famer and a quarterback with unmatched experience. Steelers fans and football enthusiasts alike were buzzing after Rodgers’ endorsement and suddenly Howard’s potential future in Pittsburgh felt a lot more intriguing and tangible.

"I am just gonna talk about one guy that I really got to pour into a lot and was just incredible to work with, and that was Will Howard," Rodgers said while speaking to McAfee on Tuesday. "You know, I knew about Will watching him ball out for Ohio State. I didn't really pay much attention when he was at Kansas State to be honest with you. I loved watching him at Ohio State. I didn't know what to expect when Will came in and how it would be with me and Mason [Rudolph] and Skylar [Thompson] for that matter. I love those guys. We still have a group chat that lights up all the time."

What came next was the telling endorsement of Rodgers on Howard. Rodgers is not a guy who talks out of his teeth or tells lies. When he gives an endorsement, it is genuine, especially this type of one. 

Rodgers is not saying Howard is guaranteed to be a future All-Pro quarterback in this league, but he is speaking to his mental makeup, something innate in him that wires him to ignore where he was drafted and just play football and get better every day.

"Will in general has what it takes from a personality and a moxie standpoint to have a long career in the league," Rodgers said. "You never know what is gonna happen when the live bullets start flying, but I really went to him early in camp and I said, 'Listen, I will help you as much or as little as you want.' It is in my nature to inject during drill work and in the meeting because I want you to see the game the way I see it. I want you to be thinking about the things that a young player should be thinking about... anybody who was in Latrobe and watched him was like, 'Da**, this Will Howard is pretty good.'"

Steelers' Will Howard Continues To See Stock Rise

There is something to be said for that, and hearing Rodgers speak about it should give Pittsburgh fans a boatload of confidence heading into 2026 and beyond. Whether Rodgers comes back or not, even though it seems likely, no one truly knows, but Howard’s stock continues to soar in the Steel City. 

If he can just get a chance and continue to improve, many are starting to feel like it is not wise to bet against him. This is crazy considering how many teams a year ago passed up on him in several rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. The stock for Howard continues to soar.

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