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Former NFL general manager is buying all of the stock he can when it comes to Will Howard's future with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 5:52 PM ET

Futures are a very intriguing option in the stock market.

A calculated gamble not too different than drafting an NFL quarterback, per se.

And for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Will Howard is a futures option that former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum would put some stock into...

Tannenbaum is bullish on Will Howard

“I think a new name we should really start talking about is Will Howard," Tannenbaum said on ESPN's Unsportsmanlike. "There is something about the Steelers that they think Will Howard, who, but for a pretty bad workout at the Combine may have been a top three round pick. But the Steelers have made a lot more [good] decisions than bad one, guys. And if you look at Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and the years of continuity they’ve had in those respective offenses, as great as Aaron Rodgers once was, he’s gonna be 42 in December...

“..Like, are we better off with a young Will Howard that has everything in front of him that’ll be (chomping) at the bit? So, to me, the Aaron Rodgers thing, like what are we really getting now at the end of the day?”

There's a new name that @RealTannenbaum thinks we should be talking about with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Howard. pic.twitter.com/XraaGJRyFE
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) June 2, 2025

It's a valid question from Tannenbaum, but one that I would have to push back on. Will Howard might be very good. He is also, however, a sixth-round rookie who has never played a snap of meaningful NFL football.

Aaron Rodgers on the other hand, regardless of what people will tell, you was more than serviceable down the stretch of last season, with shades of his former self against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Throws and plays that remind you of the Aaron Rodgers that won a Super Bowl and four MVPs with the Green Bay Packers.

And that is always going to be better than an unproven rookie.

The idea that Howard can't sit and learn and then work his way into the lineup somewhere down the road isn't very logical. In fact, his chances at being a successful NFL starter would probably be better if and when he sits behind Aaron Rodgers.

So sure, buy up the Howard futures, but don't expect his stock to pay dividends anytime soon.