Jon Gruden knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. The man turned journeyman Rich Gannon into an MVP and won a Super Bowl by orchestrating an offense around Brad Johnson. If anyone knows how to identify and maximize a quarterback’s talent, it would be Gruden.
That makes his take on the batch of quarterbacks taken in the 2025 NFL Draft all the more interesting. Most people have called this a weak draft at the position. However, there is one player in particular that Gruden identifies as an absolute steal.
Jon Gruden Thinks Will Howard Could Be a Revelation in Pittsburgh
Gruden went on SiriusXM NFL Radio to share his thoughts on the Steelers’ sixth-round pick.
“I’ll go on record here: The Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal in Will Howard,” Gruden said. “I’m gonna tell ya something, that guy’s a stud. … I made the comparison to Josh Allen and everybody’s all, ‘Gruden thinks he’s Josh Allen.'”
“I said he’s 6047 [6’4 7/8″], 236 [pounds], so I want you to get a feel for how big this guy is,” Gruden clarified.
“He can run the direct power plays, he can run the zone reads. He has four touchdown runs of over 70 yards. He won big at Kansas State. He won it all at Ohio State. He can play in cold weather, which you gotta do to beat Buffalo or you gotta beat Kansas City on the road. And not a lot of people can play in bad weather.”
"The Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal in Will Howard…"
Former NFL HC Jon Gruden joined us at the 2025 @seniorbowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony to discuss rookie QBs Jaxson Dart & Will Howard
📻https://t.co/JdXypCT3dd#HereWeGo | #NYGiants | #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/CRxVpbC6Gr
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) May 5, 2025
Gruden’s point should be loud and clear: There’s value in lots of players, especially quarterbacks. If coaches identify a good fit with those players, are patient with their development, and give them excellent coaching, the ceiling couldn’t be any higher.
The Steelers are anticipated to sign future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers before training camp. Should that happen, he could provide a bridge to Howard or another potential pick in 2026. In Howard’s case, he’s already made a great impression on the Steelers’ coaching staff. Howard’s well-known for his work ethic and attitude.
Howard finished off his college career in grand style. He led Ohio State to a national title after finishing the regular season with 4,010 passing yards and 35 TDs through the air.
Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger offered some sage advice for Howard: “My advice to him would be to get here as soon as you can. Start being like, prepare like you’re going to be the guy without trying to step on the other quarterbacks’ toes.”
All the young man has to do now is seize his opportunity.