PITTSBURGH — The Steelers’ quarterback room just got a bit more interesting with the addition of Will Howard, a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State. As the 185th overall selection, Howard joins a unit that includes former Kansas State teammate Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph. This marks the Steelers’ first quarterback selection since they picked Kenny Pickett at 20 overall and Chris Oladokun in the seventh round during the 2022 draft.
The Steelers are set on taking four quarterbacks into training camp, indicating there’s still one position up for grabs while they await a decision from Aaron Rodgers, who is now on the market after his release from the New York Jets this offseason. Steelers owner Art Rooney II mentioned on Friday that news regarding Rodgers could come soon, and head coach Mike Tomlin weighed in positively, stating that they’ve had fruitful discussions. “That’s certainly a possibility,” Tomlin said of potentially adding Rodgers, though he kept details under wraps.
What Howard brings to the table is compelling. He comes with a championship pedigree after leading the Buckeyes to a national title in his lone season. His playoff performance was particularly eye-catching: he threw for 630 yards, five touchdowns, and completed an impressive 74% of his passes — a display that left a mark on the Steelers’ front office. “You see him in the big moments of critical possession downs, even in the national championship game,” said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. “Extremely excited to work with Will.”
Throughout the season, Howard completed 73% of his passes, which ranked him just behind Shedeur Sanders for the top completion percentage among FBS quarterbacks in 2024. He also tossed 35 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while contributing to the Buckeyes’ 14-2 record. It’s worth noting that Howard is the second Ohio State player drafted by the Steelers this year, following outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, taken in the fourth round.
The connection between Howard and Sawyer runs deep. “Jack and I are about as close as two guys could be,” Howard shared, emphasizing his excitement about reuniting in Pittsburgh. “I always said throughout this process, one of these Ohio State guys, I’m going to end up with one of them. And man, I’m so glad that Captain Jack and I are going to Pittsburgh together.”
When it comes to his career stats, Howard has compiled an impressive 9,795 passing yards, 83 touchdowns, and 35 interceptions over the course of his time at Kansas State and Ohio State, completing 63.8% of his passes.
Rooney spoke on Steelers Nation Radio about the team’s vision for any newly drafted quarterback, suggesting that they’ll likely be viewed as a developmental project. Howard is fully on board with this approach. “It’s not a matter of what happens out on the field or if I play right away; it’s about getting better and learning,” he said after being selected. His commitment is clear: “I don’t do things half in; I go all in, and I have every expectation that this next step with the Pittsburgh Steelers is going to be amazing for me.”
Although the Steelers didn’t host Howard for a predraft visit, they did have a formal interview at the NFL scouting combine and shared a dinner the evening before his pro day in Columbus. Smith reflected on the time spent with Howard, noting how important personal interactions can be. “When you get to spend time with somebody, you get to learn what they’re about and how they interact with their teammates,” he said. “I came away, all of us did, just extremely impressed with Will.”
As the Steelers move forward, Howard’s presence only adds more intrigue to an already developing quarterback situation. With so many eyes on potential additions like Rodgers and the growth of Howard, the upcoming season promises to be full of excitement and competition.
