The chances of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie quarterback Will Howard starting for the team in 2025 completely faded when Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the franchise. Still, Howard was “fired up” on hearing about the signing, more importantly, about the opportunity to learn from the four-time NFL MVP.
Rodgers has been very keen to help the young quarterbacks over his stints in Green Bay and New York, and it was no different in Pittsburgh, as Howard revealed he has been “so awesome” to him in the offseason practices so far.
Will Howard Reveals How Aaron Rodgers Is Helping Him In The Practices
Rodgers 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 Jets, where he tore his Achilles in 2023, then finished 21st in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season.
The 20-year NFL veteran proved he still had 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 recently called the opportunity to learn from Rodgers a “dream come true,” and has now said the future Hall of Famer has been keen to help him during the practices, even giving him little tips.
“He’s been so awesome to me so far,” Howard told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Obviously, we’ve only gotten to be together for about three days, but I got a really good feeling about him and about this whole QB room. I think we already in this past week meshed really well, hit it off. I think we got a good vibe, good group.
“Aaron has been so willing to help me. He’s like, ‘Literally, as much or as little as you want me to help you, I’ll be there.’ He’s already given me tips, little things here and there — in the meeting room, on the field, in my drops, different little things.”
Howard suggested that it was tempting for him to try to replicate Rodgers’ unique play style, but acknowledged that he can’t do everything the veteran does.
“Obviously I can’t do the things that he can do mechanically, so I don’t want to replicate that too much because that’s pretty unique,” Howard added. “But, for the most part, everything I can learn from that guy is invaluable. So I’m like as much as you want to pour into me.”
Howard had an underwhelming four-year career at Kansas State before leading the Ohio Buckeyes to a national championship in 2024. He broke out with 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, topping the Big Ten in both categories.
He, however, was still considered a late Day 3 pick. Given his sixth-round pedigree, it’s a long shot that he develops into the Steelers’ long-term quarterback, but learning from Rodgers will surely increase his chances.
