The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have clarity at the most important position in all of sports. After a saga that lasted 70 days following Aaron Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh in a Malibu rental, the four-time NFL MVP has officially signed with the team. It’s a massive move that signals the Steelers are serious about contending, and now Rodgers will attempt to have his Tom Brady moment in Pittsburgh, chasing one more championship in a new uniform.
Not everyone is convinced he can make it happen. Rodgers is 41 years old, coming off a major injury in 2023, and joining a roster that still has plenty to prove on offense. However, one thing is certain. The quarterbacks already on the roster will benefit from being around a player with Rodgers’ pedigree, experience, and understanding of the game. His presence alone raises the standard in the locker room.
On his podcast Footbahlin, Ben Roethlisberger told former offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner, that he thinks Will Howard is the big winner in all of this. The rookie quarterback now gets to sit behind and learn from one of the most gifted passers in NFL history. Roethlisberger believes that being in the same room as Rodgers will accelerate Howard’s development and could change the course of his career.
"I think the person who is going to benefit the most from all of this is Will Howard," Roethlisberger said. "He gets to see how a Hall of Fame guy does it. For good, bad, and different, whatever is going to happen. He gets to see how Mason [Rudolph], whom you can call a journeyman… He’s been a backup and he’s been a starter. Mason has done a lot of things, so Will gets to sit back and see how they approach it."
Fichtner was quick to agree with Roethlisberger about Howard being the big winner here. The sixth-round rookie now gets the chance to sit and learn from Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. For a young player entering the league, having that kind of mentor is a rare and valuable opportunity.
Roethlisberger also pointed out that learning from someone like Mason Rudolph could be just as important in different ways. While Rudolph may not have Rodgers' résumé, he brings years of experience as a backup and understands the grind of staying prepared without the spotlight. That perspective can help Howard develop the mental toughness needed to succeed in the NFL.
"He is going to benefit the most from this whole thing in my opinion," Roethlisberger said. "I think he’s got a real chance to do something about it."
With both Rodgers and Rudolph in the quarterback room, Howard finds himself in an ideal situation. He can study the elite-level decision-making of a future Hall of Famer while also gaining practical advice from a veteran who has carved out a role by staying ready and professional.
When the Steelers drafted Howard, he generated far more buzz than a typical sixth-round pick. That excitement came from what Howard accomplished in just one season at Ohio State, where he played a key role in leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship. That kind of pedigree sets him apart and makes him a legitimate sleeper to watch as his NFL career begins.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Open To Helping Will Howard Learn
When Rodgers spoke to the media in Pittsburgh on Tuesday for the first time since signing, he made it clear that he is fully open to mentoring Howard. That’s a huge benefit for the Steelers and especially for the young quarterback, who now gets a rare chance to learn from one of the most talented passers the league has ever seen.
Rodgers' willingness to embrace a leadership role with Howard only reinforces what Roethlisberger said on his podcast. Howard truly is the big winner in this situation. He has the championship background, the physical tools, and now the mentorship to potentially develop into something special for the Steelers with the help of Rodgers.
