PITTSBURGH — Will Howard, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is poised to become the team’s starting quarterback in the upcoming season, sources told ESPN on May 18, 2025.
With fierce determination, Howard is ready to prove his worth.Selected 185th overall, Howard joined the Steelers after the team lost both Russell Wilson to the Giants and Justin Fields to the Jets. Currently, the team relies on Mason Rudolph as the interim QB1, but Howard’s impressive college resume makes him a prime candidate to lead the offense, per The Athletic.
At Ohio State in 2024, Howard guided the Buckeyes to a national championship with a 14-2 record. He completed 73% of his passes, amassing 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, earning a 175.3 QB rating.
In the title game against Notre Dame, he set a record with 13 consecutive completions and a 204.8 QB rating, per NFL.com.Previously, Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State, throwing for 5,786 yards, 48 touchdowns, and adding 19 rushing touchdowns across 34 games (28 starts). Over 44 college games, he totaled 9,796 yards, 83 touchdowns, and a 63.8% completion rate, showcasing immense potential, per Steelers Depot.
Howard’s determination shone through when he joined the Steelers: “I’LL GIVE EVERYTHING I’VE GOT TO MAKE AN IMPACT!” He shared this fiery resolve on Ben Roethlisberger’s Footbahlin podcast, signaling his readiness to seize the QB1 role despite his late-round draft status, per Bleacher Report.Standing at 6’4” and 236 lbs, Howard boasts the ideal build for an NFL quarterback. He excels at deep-ball accuracy, pocket presence, and has the mobility to run in Arthur Smith’s scheme.
However, he needs to refine his throwing mechanics and handle pressure better, per Steelers.com.Steelers fans on X are buzzing with excitement over Howard’s potential. @Blitz_Burgh posted, “Howard could be our future!” Ian Rapoport commented, “Howard’s grit is exactly what the Steelers need.” The team hasn’t won a playoff game in 7 years, with their latest loss to the Buffalo Bills (4-13) in 2024, per CBS Pittsburgh.
As the 2025 season approaches, Howard has a chance to outshine Rudolph, especially if the Steelers miss out on Aaron Rodgers. With his steel-like resolve and stellar college record, Howard could break the playoff drought and lead the Steelers into a new era.