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Former Ohio State QB Will Howard gets real about Aaron Rodgers coming in and being his teammate on the Steelers

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:39 PM ET

Former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has experienced a remarkable rise over the last 18 months. After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State, Howard quickly made an impact.

He won the starting quarterback job last season and led the Buckeyes to a National Championship. In doing so, he elevated his profile and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Now, with June already halfway over and July on the horizon, training camp is just around the corner. As a rookie, Howard will have the opportunity to learn from one of the game’s all-time greats in Pittsburgh.

Will Howard working well with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh already

“He is a great mentor. He’s already treated me with the utmost respect and just been really good to me,” Howard said in a recent interview. “And a guy like that, he doesn’t have to do that. I really just appreciate him being willing to take me under his wing a little bit and give me pointers and tips here and there. There are already some things that he’s said to me that have helped me.”

Joey Porter Jr., Broderick Jones, Derrick Harmon and Will Howard spoke to the media after Thursday's practice: pic.twitter.com/3nVZcvkQ6c
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) June 12, 2025

As a sixth-round pick, Howard isn’t guaranteed a roster spot, but he’s expected to be the third quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph. It’s likely Howard won’t see the field much this season, but that could work in his favor. A year of learning and development could position him to become the primary backup by next season.

Learning behind a future Pro Football Hall of Famer like Rodgers is a rare opportunity—one not afforded to many young quarterbacks entering the league. After his time at Ohio State, there may not have been a better landing spot for the National Champion than returning home to Pennsylvania.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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