With Mike Tomlin stepping away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ripple effects are already starting to show-and they stretch further than you might expect. One name that’s suddenly worth watching? Will Howard.
Now, on the surface, a sixth-round rookie quarterback doesn’t exactly scream “future of the franchise.” But in Pittsburgh’s current climate, Howard’s presence takes on a whole new meaning. Especially when you consider the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers came to Pittsburgh with one goal in mind: chase another ring under a coach he respected in Tomlin. With Tomlin gone and the Steelers potentially heading into a rebuild, the motivation for Rodgers to stick around is fading fast. Retirement rumors are heating up again, and this time, they might have some real weight behind them.
So where does that leave the Steelers? Well, the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t exactly overflowing with elite quarterback talent. That means Pittsburgh may have to look inward-and that’s where Howard becomes more than just a depth piece.
Howard’s college journey is a tale of two careers. He spent four years at Kansas State, putting up solid, if unspectacular, numbers: 5,786 passing yards, 48 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions.
But it wasn’t until he transferred to Ohio State for his final season that he truly broke out. In 2024-25, he threw for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 10 picks, while adding seven rushing touchdowns and 226 yards on the ground.
That run included a dominant postseason performance that helped launch him into the NFL conversation.
Of course, scouts and front offices didn’t forget the previous four seasons. And some critics pointed out that Howard’s breakout came with the benefit of playing behind the nation’s top defense and alongside several future NFL-caliber weapons. That context helped explain why, despite the late surge, Howard slid all the way to the sixth round-where Pittsburgh scooped him up as a developmental option behind Rodgers.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Rodgers has taken Howard under his wing. The veteran quarterback has been vocal about his support for the rookie.
“I’ve made a point of really trying to help out Will because I love him,” Rodgers told reporters ahead of Pittsburgh’s playoff matchup with Houston. “He’s a great kid, and I think he’s got a bright future. That's one relationship I really wanted to pour into.”
That mentorship could be more than just a feel-good story. It might be a sign of what’s to come.
Rodgers hasn’t made any final decisions, but the writing is on the wall. He’s not the same player who won four MVPs, and the Steelers are trending toward a reset.
With Tomlin out, franchise cornerstones like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward may not be far behind.
If Rodgers walks away-and if Pittsburgh leans into a rebuild-Will Howard could find himself in a position few expected when his name was called late on draft weekend. He’s got the tools, the mentorship, and now, potentially, the opportunity.
For a franchise in transition, that might be enough to start something new.