The Pittsburgh Steelers may have made a splash by signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, but don’t expect rookie Will Howard to play the background.
In a candid interview following his first week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Howard made it clear: he’s not here to be a spectator. He’s here to compete — for the starting quarterback job, no matter who else is in the room.
“There are only 32 of these jobs in the world,” Howard said. “This is the opportunity I’ve wanted.”
Despite a self-described “rocky” first day, Howard has embraced the learning curve. He acknowledged that the transition into NFL speed and systems is intense, but emphasized that he’s improving quickly.
“Day two and three, I think I’ve been a lot better,” he noted. “You’ve got to roll with the punches and know you’re going to make some mistakes — especially being a rookie. But it’s how you learn from it.”
Howard’s calm demeanor and ownership of his own development stood out, especially at a time when many eyes are locked on the presumed Rodgers-led offense. With the veteran absent from OTAs this week, Howard seized the opportunity to take first-team reps and make his presence felt.
And while Rodgers’ shadow looms large over the Steelers’ quarterback room, Howard isn’t interested in comparisons or speculation. He’s not watching over his shoulder — he’s looking straight ahead.
“I’m not going to get affected by outside noise,” he said. “You’ve got to stay focused, take every rep seriously, and keep getting better.”
The Steelers’ quarterback competition, once thought to be a formality, is suddenly gaining intrigue. With Mason Rudolph also fighting for the QB1 role, and Rodgers yet to report to voluntary workouts, Howard’s early performance is at least giving the coaches something to think about.
Coaches have praised Howard’s attitude, leadership traits, and willingness to absorb the playbook. While he may not be expected to start Week 1, he’s making the case that he belongs — and that he won’t just fade quietly into the depth chart.
In Pittsburgh, nothing is handed out — it’s earned. And through just one week of OTAs, Will Howard is doing everything in his power to earn it.
