Will Howard’s long wait to hear his name ended when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the former Ohio State quarterback with the 185th overall pick. He was the eighth signal-caller picked in the 2025 NFL Draft and walks into Pittsburgh’s thin quarterback room.
Let’s look at where Howard might fit into the depth chart.
Steelers Select Will Howard in 6th Round of 2025 NFL Draft
The Steelers were one of the teams looking for a quarterback heading into the draft, but waited until late in Day 3 to address that need. The team stuck to its hard-nosed roots, drafting DT Derrick Harmon in the first round.
They didn’t pick again until the third round and found Najee Harris’ replacement in Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Pittsburgh followed that with two more defensive line picks in rounds four and five and then picked up Howard in the sixth.
Aaron Rodgers has been linked to the Steelers all offseason, but for now, Mason Rudolph is the only quarterback on the roster. Unless a Rodgers deal gets done, Rudolph is the presumed starter, but Howard walks into a stable franchise that needs a long-term solution at quarterback.
Mason Rudolph
The seven-year vet returns to Pittsburgh after a year with the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in eight games last year with five starts, filling in for Will Levis. Rudolph totaled 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions en route to finishing No. 26 in PFSN’s QB+ metric.
Rudolph never had to be “the guy” during his first stint in Pittsburgh, and enters his second as the presumed starter. If Rodgers joins the Steelers, Rudolph would slide into the backup role, but he’s capable enough to start.
Will Howard
PFSN’s Ian Cummings broke down Howard, saying, “Will Howard will immediately win NFL evaluators over in two ways. He stayed at Kansas State initially when he could’ve left after a tumultuous start, and resurrected his career over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. And then, with his final year of eligibility, he reached even greater heights at Ohio State.
“Howard completed 73% of his passes for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 10 picks, while adding seven additional scores on the ground last season for the Buckeyes. He quarterbacked the National Champions, which gained credibility on the draft circuit.”
Howard wasn’t expected to go before Day 3 until Ohio State’s College Football Playoff run began. In that four-game stretch, he posted 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns. Howard’s legs were a huge part of his game at Kansas State, and he added 57 yards on 16 carries in the national championship game.
That run boosted Howard’s draft stock, but seven other quarterbacks were selected before him. He’s good enough to compete with Rudolph, but likely won’t see the field if Rodgers signs.
Where Does Rodgers Fit In?
It hasn’t happened yet, but a Rodgers contract appears close. Team owner Art Rooney II recently spoke about the 20-year veteran and the likelihood of a deal getting done. ESPN Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor tweeted Rooney’s comments.
She posted on X, “Art Rooney II to SNR on Aaron Rodgers: ‘We’re still kind of getting the same signals that we’ve been getting recently. He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon.”
Rodgers is coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and one of his worst statistical seasons in 2024. He posted 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his one full year starting for the New York Jets. He’d move into the starting role if a deal gets finalized, but it would be a short-term fix.