The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard comes to the Steel City with much more hype than most sixth-round quarterbacks receive. The reasoning is rather simple: it’s because of what he accomplished in his final college season. After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State for his last year, Howard lifted the Buckeyes to a National Championship, showcasing incredible talent and leadership along the way.
Despite that success, NFL scouts didn’t view Howard as a top prospect, which caused him to fall into the sixth round. For the Steelers, Howard turning into a reliable backup quarterback would already be considered a big win. However, many around the team believe his potential goes far beyond that modest expectation. His blend of poise, football IQ, and winning experience has made fans and teammates excited about what he could become.
Steelers teammates Beanie Bishop Jr. and Payton Wilson recently discussed Howard on Bishop’s podcast, sharing their thoughts about the rookie QB. Wilson was especially confident, saying he 100% believes Howard can be a starter in the NFL. With that kind of endorsement from his peers, Howard’s journey in Pittsburgh will be one to watch closely as the 2025 season unfolds.
"Yeah, 100%," Wilson said. "For me, it’s like, yeah, you take a quarterback a little later, but I like the idea of Will Howard. You will find some gems, you’ll find a guy on a bad team that’s a stud, but Will Howard comes from a winning culture."
Bishop was quick to point out that there is no guarantee Howard won't become the Steelers’ starting quarterback right away or even at all. Wilson agreed with that cautious view but went further to explain why he loved the Steelers’ decision to draft Howard.
He highlighted Howard’s leadership, work ethic, and ability to perform under pressure, all qualities that make him stand out as a player with real upside.
"They won a National Championship, which I don’t think is easy to do," Wilson said. "Especially as the leader of the team. He was only there one year, and seeing what he brought to that team was cool… you got to love the picks when they come from National Championship teams."
Wilson emphasized that Howard’s experience leading the Buckeyes to a National Championship speaks volumes about his character and competitiveness. While the path to a starting role might be uncertain, Wilson believes Howard has the tools and mindset to eventually earn that opportunity. It is that blend of talent and determination that has teammates excited about what Howard can bring to the Steelers.
Together, their conversation showed a balanced but optimistic view of Howard’s future in Pittsburgh. Though no one is rushing to anoint him as the next starter, the respect and confidence from teammates like Wilson suggest Howard’s presence could be a key piece for the Steelers moving forward.
Steelers Still Waiting On Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers are now fully committed to Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season, though Rodgers has yet to publicly confirm that he will be playing for Pittsburgh. If Rodgers does join the team, Mason Rudolph is expected to serve as the backup quarterback, while Will Howard will compete with Skylar Thompson for the third-string spot. However, if Rodgers does not come, Rudolph would likely start, and Howard would have a chance to compete for the backup role as well as possibly challenge Rudolph for the starting job down the line.
No one truly expects Howard to be handed early opportunities, but the NFL is full of surprises. If Howard does get a chance to prove himself, he is ready to make the most of it. His teammates are already excited about his arrival and confident in his potential to contribute to the team’s success.
