Ben Roethlisberger knows a thing or two about playing quarterback in Pittsburgh. So when the Steelers legend throws his support behind a young signal-caller, it’s worth paying attention. And right now, Big Ben is all in on Will Howard.
Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025, spent most of his rookie season learning from the sidelines as the Steelers' QB3 behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. But if Rodgers doesn’t return in 2026-whether due to retirement or another detour-Roethlisberger believes Pittsburgh already has the answer in-house.
“I love his heart, his fire. I think he is Pittsburgh,” Roethlisberger said in a recent interview.
“He’s tough, he’s gritty, he’s going to get you what you want. Could be completely wrong, but I think you have a guy in there.”
That’s not just a casual endorsement. For Roethlisberger, this is a full-on vote of confidence in a young quarterback who’s still waiting for his first real NFL opportunity.
And it’s not just about intangibles-though Howard has plenty of those. This is about potential, upside, and what Howard might become if the Steelers give him the reins.
Let’s not forget: Howard’s college journey was anything but ordinary. He started at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State, where he capped his college career with a national championship.
That kind of experience, especially under pressure, doesn’t go unnoticed. And while he entered the league without much fanfare, Howard has clearly made an impression inside the building-and outside it, too.
Roethlisberger didn’t stop at praising Howard’s toughness. He went a step further, offering a bold projection.
“Do I think Will Howard is a top-10 quarterback of all time, like by the time he’s done? Maybe, probably not,” Roethlisberger said.
“But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a top-five guy in the league for numerous years. Or top-10 guy.
And that guy can get you Super Bowls.”
That’s high praise from a future Hall of Famer who knows exactly what it takes to win in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger isn’t predicting Howard will become the next Tom Brady-but he’s not ruling out the idea that Howard could be the kind of quarterback who wins games, leads playoff runs, and maybe even brings home a Lombardi or two.
Big Ben went on to say he believes the Steelers should give Howard a real shot-two or three seasons as the starter-before making any long-term decisions about the position. In a league that often demands instant results, that kind of patience is rare. But Roethlisberger’s point is clear: if you think you have something, give it time to grow.
Now, let’s be real. Quarterbacks taken in the sixth round don’t usually become franchise guys.
For every late-round gem, there are dozens who never start a game. The odds are long, and the NFL doesn’t hand out starting jobs based on potential alone.
But Roethlisberger sees something in Howard that’s worth betting on.
The Steelers, of course, will have options. If Rodgers moves on, Pittsburgh could pursue a veteran bridge or look to the draft for a more highly touted prospect.
That’s the conventional route. But Roethlisberger is urging the team to consider a different path-one that starts with a young, gritty quarterback who’s already in the building, just waiting for his shot.
Will the Steelers listen? Time will tell.
But one thing’s for sure: Big Ben believes Will Howard deserves his moment. And in Pittsburgh, that endorsement carries weight.