"Will Isn't Giving Me Any Tips": Steelers' Will Howard Refusing To Help Carnell Tate For 1 Massive Reason

The Pittsburgh Steelers took the shot to draft quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s not often a sixth-round pick, especially at quarterback, generates the kind of hype that Howard has. However, that’s precisely what has transpired since Pittsburgh selected him 185th overall. Howard’s selection sparked intrigue because while late-round quarterbacks rarely make an immediate impact, the buzz surrounding him has been impossible to ignore.

No one truly knows what the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh will look like in 2026. Whether Aaron Rodgers decides to return, Mason Rudolph remains in contention, and Howard could be thrust into the mix to be considered a starter as well. All three are viable options at this point. Howard seems like a longshot because he hasn’t had any real NFL experience, but if Head Coach Mike McCarthy trusts him, he claims he would go with Howard if necessary. That endorsement alone has kept fans and analysts talking about his potential role in the Steelers’ future.

With the Steelers holding the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, speculation is heating up about which direction General Manager Omar Khan will take. During his Pro Day, Ohio State wide receiver prospect Carnell Tate revealed that Howard is likely hopeful Khan selects him with that pick. The comment adds another layer of intrigue, suggesting that Howard is not just focused on developing behind the scenes, but is also quietly rooting for a team move that could benefit both him and the Steelers.

"Oh, Will [Howard] isn’t giving me any tips," Tate said while speaking at the Buckeye's Pro Day on Wednesday. "He’s probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh."

The Steelers do have a need at wide receiver, but it is not as dire as it once was. That is thanks to Khan’s decision to pull off a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Michael Pittman Jr. That move now pairs Pittman with DK Metcalf, and suddenly the Steelers’ top two spots in the wide receiver room look not just respectable, but formidable. 

Pittsburgh could theoretically take Tate at 21 if he happens to fall slightly down the board, though as it currently stands many top draft pundits believe he will go within the top 10 to 15 picks, well before Pittsburgh would be on the clock.

Steelers Could Pull Off Exciting Feat In Round 1 Of 2026 NFL Draft

The idea of the Steelers drafting Tate would be incredibly exciting. Tate would enter McCarthy’s offense and immediately have the comfort of playing with one of the quarterbacks already on the roster, his good friend in Howard, with whom he won a National Championship with in college. While Howard does not have much say in draft decisions as he is still trying to officially earn his spot as the backup quarterback, if McCarthy truly believes in him, pairing Howard with a talented young receiver he already knows could be a smart move for development.

This is why Tate revealed that Howard is not giving him any draft advice. Howard is clearly hopeful that Tate will still be available at pick 21 so the Steelers can select him. While it is unlikely, it is not impossible that Tate could fall to Pittsburgh, setting up a reunion that would be beneficial for both the young quarterback and his future target.

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