Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) motions at the line of scrimmage during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Former Ohio State Buckeyes QB Will Howard Receives Strong Message From Aaron Rodgers

Originally posted on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI
By Nathan Beighle | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 7:18 PM ET

Will Howard didn't start as a fan-favorite player during his stint at Ohio State, coming from Kansas State where he spent the first four years of his collegiate career, but after a season with the Buckeyes, fans were sad to see him go. Howard was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard left the Buckeyes with a championship on his way out prior to joining the NFL ranks.

The Steelers had a duo of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last season, starting the latter to commence the year and ending up starting the former throughout the 17-game regular season. Fields is now with the New York Jets, and Wilson is with the New York Giants. That left a void for the Steelers, and while they selected Howard, it didn't ever feel like he was truly going to be their starting option to begin the 2025 campaign.

Howard has looked very good throughout offseason training, but given Pittsburgh recently signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there isn't much hope for Howard as a starter. Rodgers will have that place to start the year, but he won't be around forever. He's going to ensure that he will do all he can to make Howard a star.

Here's what Rodgers said of Howard just days after signing per Jarrett Bailey.

Aaron Rodgers on Will Howard:

“Will’s a good kid. Thought he looked good today… I’m gonna be with him every single day and every single meeting… I’m gonna help him out as much as I can.”
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) June 10, 2025

Howard went for 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns his fifth season in college, sitting atop the Big Ten in both categories. The ultra-high ceiling isn't there which is why he wasn't taken in the first two days of the draft, but the tenacity and leadership are there.

He clearly has Rodgers' seal of approval. He should be able to learn a thing or two that extends his career behind the quarterback which many consider one of the best to ever do it.

This article first appeared on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: