Charlie Batch thinks sitting and learning will do Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard well in Year 1.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch knows a thing or two about backing up a Canton-bound quarterback. He spent nine years backing up Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger and ultimately watched him win a Super Bowl.
As such, he has a perspective that sixth-round quarterback Will Howard could use after Thursday’s news.
Pittsburgh finally ended its quarterback drama by signing veteran Aaron Rodgers on a one-year deal that is as much about redemption as it is saying goodbye. With a playoff-ready roster and an esteemed head coach, the organization has the talent to give Rodgers one more shot at playoff contention.
On “Up & Adams,” the former Steelers quarterback was happy to see Howard sitting, primarily because it eliminates the pressure of expectations. Batch spoke to Kay Adams before Rodgers put pen to paper.
"They want to make sure he is learning from the pocket first and then from there allow everything else to kind of materialize," Batch said. "There's not a lot of pressure on Will at this particular point, and that's the one thing that he has an advantage of. Because all he has to do is put his head in the playbook, go out there and get the job done, where everybody else is being talked about."
With Mason Rudolph atop the depth chart before the Rodgers signing, there was a real chance that Howard would see playing time in 2025. Pittsburgh has been able to churn out competent teams with bottom-barrel quarterbacking before, but thrusting Howard into a starting role with playoff expectations would be harsh.
Now, Howard can comfortably embrace his role as the third quarterback while soaking up all he can from one of the game’s smartest quarterbacks.
Batch suggested that in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense, Howard is a promising fit, given his proclivity for helping in the run game.
"We know the mindset of Arthur Smith," Batch said. "He wants to run the football, and sometimes the quarterback has to pull the ball down on some designed runs that you actually have to use your legs and get the job done. So those are things that are gonna play itself out, but that's kind of down the line."
The Steelers seem to be gearing up for a franchise quarterback in 2026. But with a year of experience and a season’s worth of seasoning from Rodgers, Howard could find himself with the upper hand in a quarterback competition next season.
