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Will Howard hasn’t taken a snap in the NFL yet, but he’s already turning heads in Pittsburgh. The sixth-round pick out of Ohio State is making a strong impression on the Steelers’ coaching staff, showing poise, intelligence, and leadership during early workouts. Let’s take a look at Will’s intangibles and how he’s making an early impression.
Howard’s arrival boosts Steelers’ playoff prospects
The Steelers didn’t take Will Howard to be a savior, but they saw enough in his college tape to believe he could stabilize a quarterback room that’s lacked clarity in recent years. Winning the first expanded College Football Playoff has proven that Howard offers depth, upside, and a calm presence in high-pressure moments.
Oddsmakers like those that gambling expert Matt Bastock has reviewed in his guide on betting sites without ID that offer generous bonuses and anonymous play through utilizing crypto currently list Pittsburgh at +550 to make the playoffs. This figure reflects both the competitiveness of the AFC North and the uncertainty surrounding their offense.
Howard’s arrival doesn’t guarantee a postseason run, and he may not play a snap in 2025 depending on any other passers the Steelers add. (Aaron Rodgers is still a hotly specualted name to join the team.
However, Howard gives the team flexibility in case Mason Rudolph, the most tenured quarterback current only the roster, should falter. In a division where every win carries extra weight, having a capable, well-prepared third option at quarterback could end up making a real difference.
A championship pedigree rarely seen in the sixth round
What makes Howard’s early impact in Pittsburgh even more notable is the resume he walked in with. Few quarterbacks drafted that late come with his kind of experience. He started more than 30 games in college, split between Kansas State and Ohio State, with his final season ending in a national title.
At Ohio State, he posted 4,010 passing yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, showing consistency and command of the offense. He led the Buckeyes to convincing wins in all three College Football Playoff Championship games, completing 58 of 80 passes for 839 yards, six touchdowns and only a single interception.
That performance didn’t just win him a ring. It caught the attention of NFL scouts who began revisiting earlier evaluations. The Steelers were one of the few teams that kept him on their board and brought Howard in for a pre-draft visit. Pittsburgh’s staff was reportedly “surprised and thrilled” he was still available in the sixth. Now he’s part of their rookie draft class of 2025, running plays during rookie minicamp and picking up the offense quickly.
Arthur Smith, Tomlin, and a QB room that feels reinvigorated
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has kept things close to the vest, but he’s offered high marks for Howard’s early work. “He’s played in a lot of big games. We liked his tape, and we’re excited to have him here,” Smith told local reporters during minicamp. Head coach Mike Tomlin has also praised Howard’s presence, calling him “sharp” and “engaged.”
In a room that has seen the team move on from veteran starter Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Howard may have landed in an opportune situation.
The Steelers have one of the most uncertain quarterback situations in the league, with only Rudolph and former Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson on the depth chart. Even if Pittsburgh were to sign Aaron Rodgers, Howard has already been quoted as being open to learn from the vets while still asserting himself in team drills.
What separates Howard, according to several staff members, is how quickly he processes. He isn’t scrambling to call plays in the huddle or hesitating when pressure comes off the edge. He also turned heads when he immediately called and requested the offensive playbook shortly after he was selected in on day three of the NFL Draft.
Learning year or quiet competition?
There’s still a real possibility that 2025 is a developmental year for Howard. Coach Tomlin typically leans on experienced players to start the season, and his pattern is to make rookies earn their spot. Traditionally, the lower a player is selected in the draft, the longer the path to playing time is within Tomlin’s system.
For now, Mason Rudolph is the presumed starter. Skylar Thompson, a former seventh round pick, has 10 games of playing experience with three starts, though that only amounts to 105 pass attempts.
Should Rodgers remain at home, unsigned, Howard has an opportunity to usurp the backup role. However, team president Art Rooney II spoke following day two of the draft, saying that any passer the team selected on day three would have to wait a year before playing.
Whether the players ahead of Howard on the depth chart perform well enough to remain in those spots will be a wait and see approach. Injuries, which are commonplace in a league that’s seen over 60 QBs start games in each of the last two seasons, could also get Howard meaningful reps sooner than expected. The coaching staff doesn’t see him as a gadget player or someone to stash on the practice squad.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the team’s approach to finding a long-term answer at the position has been fluid. Some speculated that Roethlisberger is being lured to return, but that ship has long sailed. Pittsburgh has tried the veteran route with Wilson, the former first round reclamation projects with Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields, and also their own high pick, Kenny Pickett. None of those options have worked out.
Howard, however, brings a sense of upside that isn’t tied to desperation. The decision to draft Howard was no fluke. The Steelers met with him multiple times during the scouting process and viewed him as an ideal fit in their system. At 6-foot-5, 235 lbs., Howard has good pocket presence and above-average mobility. Like Big Ben, he’s tough to bring down. He matches what Tomlin and Smith have publicly said they want out of the position.
A long road ahead, but a solid start
For now, Howard is doing everything right. He’s studying the playbook like a vet, handling the media with calm, and delivering on the field in low-stakes drills. It’s still spring football, and training camp will provide a more honest look at how he handles real pressure.
But so far, the reviews have been steady, and the optimism is growing. The fan base may not be ready to call him the future just yet, but inside the facility, coaches aren’t ruling anything out.
Steelers rookie QB Will Howard impresses coaching staff early on appeared first on Steel City Underground.