Will Howard

Yes, but he got it to them. In stride more often than not.

Mason did good when he got his limited shot for the first few games because he just goes out there and plays without worrying about it. As soon as opponents get a bead on him and he starts thinking too much...

 

I still think how he was a couple seasons ago the he finished us with. Dude was excellent

 

Howard should be elevated to QB #2 next week.

 

Why do you think this?

 

I don't think Rudolph or Howard would do any better than Rodgers behind this O line. Might as well roll with Rodgers until Ravens lead the North. This may happen sooner rather than later.

 

We currently have an old & beat up QB, who is cornered about his body , and settles for throwing it quickly behind the sticks. If you think he will be here next year, I have a bridge to sell you over one of the three rivers.

Rudolph is not a long term answer.

Howard needs to get more time with the #1's. Being the #2 QB will get him more practice time with them until Rodgers either gets hurt, or benched.

 

And you know how? Either QB would play better than Rodgers did last week in my opinion.

At least Howard can move, and is not afraid to take a hit if it means a first down. Rodgers has checked out.

Note dark shades. Start Wilson.

 

I agree with the Rudolph sentiment. In the off chance Rodgers does get benched and we are mathematically eliminated from post season, Howard should definitely get a shot to see where he's at. I doubt AR would be coaching him up though at that point. He would be pissed and probably sulking on the sideline.

 

I thought maybe MR was hurt or something and I hadn't heard.


This is the halfway point of the season. Howard is coming off of IR. There is no rush to get him on the field. Giving him more reps during the week is probably the first thing. Making him #2 over MR doesn't really do anything positive.


I don't think Rodgers is playing next season. Just my feeling on that. I don't think that's any reason to trash this season just because 'we don't know what we have with Howard'.

 

Chuckie loves him and he knows a thing or 2 about QBs.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/11/i...er-will-howard-shares-conversation-with-khan/

 

I was just getting ready to post how Gruden is a fan of Howard...Now let's replace the cheerleader with JG and let him coach him up..

 

I AM TIRED OF THE OFFENSE THROWING THE BALL BEHIND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE!!!! There I feel better

 

For as bad as Wilson got in the last month of last season Tomlin never considered benching him. The only way Rodgers is riding pine this season is with a real or fake injury.

 

Why are we getting excited about a guy taken in the 6th round? Theres a reason he was taken that late right? (And hes from Ohio St: Justin Fields, Terrell Pryor, Kent Graham, Mike Tomczak…not an awe inspiring list)

if he gets in and plays well great. But in the meantime this team needs to look to get a franchise Qb in the draft next season, trade up if need be.

 

That would be foolish

 

If you need a first down throw the ball past the first down marker

 

Historically, draft pick position is a very solid indicator of potential.

If I counted correctly, there have been 45 (46 if you count Flacco twice) different starting QBs thru week 10. Current starting QBs are listed first behind the team name. Everyone else is out due to bad performance, injury or in Flacco’s case, a trade. Listing the draft position as year-round. So it will be 2025-3 as an example (3rd round, 2025 draft). There are only 3 QBs from the 4th round or lower that are something other than career backups. That is Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins and Brock Purdy (and I think he is overrated personally).

Number of picks by round:

1st 31 //// 2nd 4 //// 3rd 4 //// 4th 2 //// 5th 1 //// 6th 1 //// 7th 1 //// UDFA 3

1. Arizona Cardinals Jacoby Brissett 2016-3, Kyler Murray 2019-1
2. Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix Jr 2024-1, Kirk Cousins (1 game) 2012-4
3. Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson 2018-1, Tyler Huntley 2020-UDFA, Cooper Rush 2017-UDFA
4. Buffalo Bills Josh Allen 2018-1
5. Carolina Panthers Brice Young 2023-1, Andy Dalton 2011-2
6. Chicago Bears Caleb Williams 2024-1
7. Cincinnati Bengals Joe Flacco 2008-1 (two spots), Joe Burrow 2020-1, Jake Browning 2019-UDFA
8. Cleveland Browns Dillion Gabriel 2025-3, Joe Flacco 2008-1 (two spots)
9. Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott 2016-4
10. Denver Broncos Bo Nix 2024-1
11. Detroit Lions Jared Goff 2016-1
12. Green Bay Packers Jordan Love 2020-1
13. Houston Texans C.J. Stroud 2023-1, David Mills 2021-3
14. Indianapolis Colts Daniel Jones 2019-1
15. Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence 2021-1
16. Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes 2017-1
17. Las Vegas Raiders Geno Smith 2013-2
18. Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbet 2020-1
19. Los Angeles Rams Matt Stafford 2009-1
20. Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa 2020-1
21. Minnesota Vikings J.J. McCarthy 2024-1, Carson Wentz 2016-1
22. New England Patriots Drake Maye 2024-1
23. New Orleans Saints Tyler Shough 2025-2, Spencer Rattler 2024-5
24. New York Giants Jaxson Dart 2025-1
25. New York Jets Justin Fields 2021-1, Tyrod Taylor 2011-6, Russell Wilson 2012-3
26. Philadelphia Eagles Jalen Hurts 2020-2
27. Pittsburg Steelers Aaron Rodgers 2005-1
28. San Francisco 49ers Mack Jones 2021-1, Brock Purdy 2022-7
29. Seattle Seahawks Sam Darnold 2018-1
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield 2018-1
31. Tennessee Titans Cam Ward 2025-1
32. Washington Redskins Jayden Daniels 2024-1, Marcus Mariota 2015-1

 

Will Howard, the former Ohio State quarterback, absolutely fits the "mobile, big, smart" archetype.

• At 6'4" and 235 lbs, he's prototypically NFL-sized with a strong frame that helps him shrug off contact and deliver from awkward angles.
• He bulked up effectively during his Ohio State tenure, contributing to his durability over 50 college games (44 starts).

Mobile?

• Yes—racked up 1,147 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs across his Kansas State and Ohio State careers, including 364 yards as a freshman in 2020.
• Scouts highlight his athleticism for designed runs, scrambles, and extending plays, with a 4.85 40-yard dash time. He's not a pure dual-threat like Jalen Hurts, but his size-mobility combo (think a more athletic Kirk Cousins) makes him scheme-versatile.

Smart?

• High football IQ shines through in his processing speed and decision-making—he led college football in 2024 with a 73.0% completion rate, 4,010 passing yards, and 35 TDs while throwing just 10 INTs.
• Academically sharp too: Graduated with an accounting degree from Kansas State (three-time Academic All-Big 12), now pursuing a master's in sports coaching at Ohio State. Mentored by Ben Roethlisberger post-draft, which fits his quick learner vibe.
• Led Ohio State to the 2025 CFP National Championship (MVP honors) and was a third-team All-Big Ten pick, showing poise under pressure.

Oh yeah he has a good arm.


Will Howard has a strong, live arm with plus velocity and the ability to drive the ball downfield and into tight windows—NFL-caliber arm talent, but not elite-tier in raw arm strength.

Arm Strength Breakdown:

Trait Rating (1-10)

Velocity
8.0[
Generates easy zip on slants, outs, and comebacks. Can rifle it 20+ yards with a flick.

Deep Ball
7.5
Throws a pretty deep ball with touch and arc; 50+ yard completions on target. Not a cannon like Josh Allen, but above-average air distance.

Platform Mechanics
8.0
Compact, quick release. Stays balanced under pressure; arm works independently of lower body.

Off-Platform / Movement
7.0
Can throw on the run with good velocity (both directions), but accuracy dips slightly left (non-throwing shoulder).

Tight Windows
7.5
Fits balls into coverage with anticipation and zip—led FBS in completion % (73.0%) partly due to this.

Scouting Verdict:

"Howard has a big-league arm—strong enough to make every NFL throw, with velocity to beat closing windows and enough touch to layer deep shots. Not a Mahomes-level howitzer, but easily in the top half of the 2025 QB class in pure arm talent."


— NFL scout (anonymous, pre-draft 2025)


Highlight Examples (2024 Ohio State):

• 50-yard TD vs. Indiana: Perfectly placed over the shoulder in stride.
• 3rd & 8 laser vs. Michigan: 18-yard out, frozen rope through two defenders.
• Rollout bomb vs. Oregon: 62 air yards on the move, dropped in the bucket.

Is he the QB of the future? We should find out by playing him a few games this season.

 

Why?

 

This list lost all credibility when it spelled Pittsburgh without an h. I dont think draft round plays a role in talent as much as it does opportunity. What I mean is, players drop round to round because when its a teams turn to pick, they may value another player over another or a position over another. Thus the player drops round after round. The proof is in the ability and not the round drafted. I know we all like to think anything past the 3rd round are practice squad guys or camp bodies but the truth is there is a ton of talent that goes unrecognized because player A was drafted ahead of Player B and so on, its not always about skill either, sometimes its about $$$$.

But lets be honest, none of us know what Howard brings to the table yet, we havent seen him play in preseason let alone a regular season game. I like the pick and I hope we give the kid a fair shot. However, this coaching staff is atrocious and I am being nice. The OL coach is horrible, the DL coach isnt much better, the ILB'ers are undersized, the secondary is pathetic , the DC is a puppet and the OC is just as bad as the last guy. Show me the improvement in our offense from Canada to Smith!!

Coach T has been skating for years, he is winning by bringing in just enough past their prime talent to keep us afloat but not be a championship team. This is the epitome of smoke and mirrors, if he truly was a great coach, the talent would show and the victories would be piling up.

 

I no longer educate posters for free

Visit here and I will be glad to help teach you

http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/pages/donate/

 

chucky loves howard. Watched him and Howard together in one of Grudens broadcasts and it was great to listen to . Incidentally I am a Gruden lover. Call it a man crush but the dude just makes me laugh

 

Um okay. But you have over 35,000 posts. No charge, right?

All I did why ask why you think so. I guess that was too hard for you.

 

Ok I’ll give you the dumbed down version

He did not play in preseason

He has been on IR and hasn’t basically done anything

He is not remotely ready

See you could have figured this out on your own

Maybe