Steelers' Will Howard, Aaron Rodgers open up about mentee-mentor relationship

Almost immediately after quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in June, he began serving as a mentor for rookie and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard.

While speaking with reporters at training camp on Thursday, Howard and Rodgers opened up about their relationship. 

"I’ve been watching him pretty much...my whole life. There’s a lot of things I’ve picked up from him," Howard said about Rodgers, as shared by Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. "The things he can do with the football in his hands are kind of special. You got to make the best of your situation. I think him being here, for me, is like a dream come true, learning from a guy like that."

Rodgers vowed in June that he would help Howard develop "as much as possible" as the 23-year-old works to possibly become Pittsburgh's long-term answer at the position. Additionally, the future Hall of Famer spent time working out with some of his new teammates in Malibu ahead of training camp. 

"You see a guy that’s bought in," Howard added about Rodgers. "He’s sitting around and he’s taking time to sit with his teammates and talk with us -- and guys like me -- and he just looks happy. He’s got a smile on his face and he’s just been great, man." 

Rodgers previously indicated he wants to finish his career "the right way" with the Steelers after his two seasons with the New York Jets did not go as he envisioned. Part of Rodgers' process this summer has been taking time to get to know his teammates on and off the field. 

"I just like his approach," Rodgers said about Howard, per Tyler Lauletta of Sports Illustrated. "He’s a good kid. He cares about it. He works hard. He listens. He’s a good note-taker. He’s been picking my brain. ...I want to be a support system for him and pass off anything I can. I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but if he wants to learn anything or pick my brain or be in my hip pocket, I’m all for it."

Howard should be able to learn about life in the NFL as an unused QB3 since Pittsburgh also has longtime backup Mason Rudolph on the roster. Rodgers seems to believe such an experience could benefit Howard and the Steelers for years to come. 

"He has all of the ability and talent," Rodgers continued during his comments about Howard. "When his time comes, I think he’s going to have a great chance to be a long-term guy in the league."