Steelers GM, OC address what they like about rookie QB Will Howard

Leading up to the opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft, numerous reporters and analysts linked the Pittsburgh Steelers with advertised top-tier quarterback prospects. 

Thus, some were surprised that Pittsburgh didn't grab a signal-caller during the player-selection process until the club chose Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round (overall pick No. 185). 

During the latest edition of "The Standard" program that's available on the Steelers' YouTube channel, Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith discussed how Howard ended up with the AFC North club.

"We did lots of homework on him," Khan said about Howard, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him through the process and getting to know him. Just can't say enough about what he meant to that Ohio State team. ...The fact that he was able to just really take charge of that offense and that team in a lot of ways, it's just really, really impressive."

Howard transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State last offseason and then guided the Buckeyes to a national title. In total, he passed for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns with Ohio State. Additionally, he earned CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP honors after he recorded 231 passing yards, 57 rushing yards and two touchdowns through the air in the 34-23 win over Notre Dame on Jan. 20. 

Despite such accomplishments, the Steelers received some criticism this past spring for not being more "aggressive" during the draft regarding their quarterback situation. Specifically, some thought that Pittsburgh should've selected Colorado's Shedeur Sanders instead of Ohio State pass-rusher Jack Sawyer at pick No. 123. The Steelers reportedly did not have "a top-five round grade on" Sanders in April. 

"It's really impressive what he did at Ohio State," Smith said about Howard. "The mental component of it is really important. The mental toughness and effort, that's what gets a lot of guys -- handling the pressure of the position. To be able to do that week in, week out, not get bored with the mundane. ...And certainly with Will, you saw that at the highest level in college football." 

The Steelers clearly hope that working with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers through at least one full season could help prepare Howard to serve as Pittsburgh's Week 1 QB1 in September 2026. That said, one wonders if Khan and Co. will ultimately regret not taking a quarterback such as Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Jalen Milroe, Dillon Gabriel or Sanders earlier in this year's draft.