The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves once again facing uncertainty at the quarterback position. With Aaron Rodgers’ future still up in the air and the team on the hunt for long-term stability, the choices made in the coming year could shape the next chapter of football in Pittsburgh.
This backdrop sets the stage for a heartfelt and insightful message from franchise icon Ben Roethlisberger. He believes the Steelers should take their time, resist the urge to rush, and truly invest in developing one young quarterback.
Ben Roethlisberger Lays Out a Patient Plan for Pittsburgh’s QB Future
On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he made his position crystal clear: the Steelers shouldn’t draft a quarterback for at least the next two or three years. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening the roster and nurturing Will Howard, even if it requires some patience.
“I would not draft a quarterback for at least two to three years,” Roethlisberger said. “I think you should build a team and put your quarterback in it. Not the other way around.”
Roethlisberger pointed to his own career as proof. Drafted into a veteran-loaded locker room in 2004, he was placed into a ready-made environment that allowed him to win early and grow without carrying the entire organization. He warned that many teams fail by doing the opposite, drafting a quarterback high and spending years scrambling to build around him while confidence erodes.
That philosophy shapes his view of Rodgers’ situation. If Aaron Rodgers chooses to return to Pittsburgh for one more season, Roethlisberger would welcome it. “I have no problem with Aaron coming back and helping Will Howard for another year,” he said, noting the value of mentorship, preseason reps, and practice exposure. At the same time, Howard serves as the No. 2 quarterback.
If Rodgers is not in the picture, Roethlisberger’s answer is just as direct. Start Howard.
“If Aaron’s not in the scenario, I would go with Will Howard this year,” he said. Roethlisberger praised Howard’s toughness, resilience, and leadership, describing him as “Pittsburgh” in his makeup. He cited Howard’s national championship run, his ability to bounce back from adversity, and the edge he brings daily.
Howard, a sixth-round pick, comes with little long-term risk. Roethlisberger emphasized that giving him two or three years does not set the franchise back. If it works, the Steelers may have found a “diamond in the rough.” If it doesn’t, they will have built a strong roster ready for the right quarterback when the time comes.
Roethlisberger also floated the idea of adding a low-cost veteran, such as Marcus Mariota or Carson Wentz, to stabilize the room if needed, without blocking Howard’s development.
The message was unmistakable. Roethlisberger does not believe Pittsburgh’s following answer will come from forcing a draft pick. He thinks it will come from patience, structure, and letting a young quarterback grow inside a complete team.
For a franchise that values continuity and a long-term vision, this approach might resonate more with fans than they realize.
