Rookie Will Howard’s Rise: A Bold Prediction for the Steelers.
After leading Ohio State to a national championship, rookie quarterback Will Howard, drafted in the sixth round, finds himself in a unique situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While many anticipate that he will spend his first season learning under veteran Mason Rudolph, one prominent analyst believes Howard could defy expectations and emerge as the team’s starting quarterback by December.
Tannenbaum’s Prediction
Mike Tannenbaum, a former New York Jets general manager and current ESPN analyst, has made a striking prediction regarding Howard’s future. Despite the skepticism surrounding a rookie’s ability to leapfrog established veterans, Tannenbaum confidently stated, “Will Howard will be starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers by December 1.” He highlighted Howard’s impressive college performance, noting his 89 QBR and 35 touchdown passes during his time at Ohio State. Tannenbaum suggested that had Howard performed slightly better in the pre-draft process, he might have been selected as early as the third or fourth round.
However, the path to becoming a starting quarterback is rarely straightforward, especially for a Day 3 draft pick. While Howard has shown promise and captured the attention of the Steelers’ coaching staff, the road to regular-season play remains long and arduous. Tannenbaum elaborated on the factors contributing to his optimism about Howard’s potential, particularly the challenges facing the Steelers’ current quarterback situation.
The Age Factor and Offensive Line Concerns
Tannenbaum pointed out that while Aaron Rodgers is undoubtedly an all-time great, he will turn 42 in December. This age factor, combined with the Steelers’ struggles in protecting their quarterback—having allowed sacks at the 28th-highest rate last season—creates a precarious environment for a veteran signal-caller. “When you have a 42-year-old quarterback, no offseason program, and an offensive line that should, in fairness, be better because Troy Fautanu is coming back, I think Will Howard has a meaningful chance to be the quarterback of the future,” Tannenbaum explained.
As the Steelers prepare for the upcoming season, the team may also be contemplating its long-term quarterback strategy. With the NFL Draft approaching next year, there is speculation that Pittsburgh could target a quarterback in the first round. However, if Howard can make a compelling case with a strong rookie performance, he might just alter the franchise’s plans moving forward.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on Howard as he navigates his first NFL season, balancing the expectations of a rookie with the aspirations of a franchise looking for its next leader under center.
