Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He arrived in time for the team’s mandatory minicamp and has slid into the Steelers’ QB1 role.
A result of Rodgers’ arrival is that rookie Will Howard likely won’t play much in 2025. Instead, he’ll get a chance to learn from one of the NFL’s all-time greats, and Rodgers recently addressed the rookie.
Aaron Rodgers Looking Forward to Mentoring Will Howard in Steelers’ QB Room
Rdogers ended his months-long free agency saga by signing a one-year, $13.6 million deal with the Steelers. He’s joining his third NFL team after two disastrous years with the New York Jets, where Rodgers tore his Achilles in 2023, then finished 21st in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season.
The 20-year veteran proved he still has something left in the tank late in 2024, but his numbers were down overall, and the Jets finished 5-12.
Pittsburgh signed Skylar Thompson to a reserve/futures contract after their season ended, then brought back Mason Rudolph at the start of free agency. The team picked Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie had a legitimate chance to see the field next season, had Rodgers not signed.
Howard is excited to learn from Rodgers, and recently called the opportunity a “dream come true.” He’s not the only one who’s excited, as Rodgers spoke to the media and discussed working with the rookie.
Steelers Depot tweeted Rodgers’ comments: “Aaron Rodgers on looking forward to mentoring Will Howard: ‘I am. Will’s a good kid. We’ve got to talk a little bit. I thought he did really well today. You know, he seems pretty bright. Not too big for him. Going through the progressions really well.
“But, yeah, I mean, I’m gonna be with him every single day in every single meeting. Found my seat next to him today in the offensive meeting. Whether or not that sticks, right next to Will Howard. So, I’m gonna help him out as much as I can.’ #Steelers #NFL”
Aaron Rodgers on looking forward to mentoring Will Howard: “I am. Will’s a good kid. We’ve got to talk a little bit. I thought he did really well today. You know, he seems pretty bright. Not too big for him. Going through the progressions really well. But, yeah, I mean, I’m gonna…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) June 10, 2025
Howard enters the league after leading Ohio State to the national championship. He had a playoff run for the ages, throwing for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions in the four playoff games.
He’s very excited to learn under Rodgers, telling the Pittsburgh media, “That’s a guy I grew up watching, idolizing, and it’s cool to be in the same room with him. Just hearing, first day, his thoughts and the way that he looks at things…The opportunity for me to learn and to work with a guy like that is second to none.”
With Rodgers on Top of Steelers’ QB Depth Chart, Can Howard Push for Backup Role?
Rodgers is QB1 in Pittsburgh and will take over a shaky offense that added DK Metcalf this offseason. Rudolph has returned to his comfortable role as the Steelers’ backup after a year with the Tennessee Titans. Howard and Thompson round out the QB room.
The Steelers’ plan for Howard before the Rodgers signing was to sit most of his rookie year. He’s good enough to compete with Rudolph for the backup role, but will have to prove it during training camp and the team’s preseason schedule.
Howard has a rare chance to work with a future Hall of Famer. Not all veteran signal-callers are willing to mentor younger players, but Rodgers is looking forward to it. It’s a long shot that Howard develops into the Steelers’ long-term quarterback given his sixth-round pedigree, but learning from Rodgers will increase his chances.
