Steel Resolve: Will Howard’s Strong Warning to Aaron Rodgers and the NFL

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In the immediate aftermath of the 2025 NFL Draft, one quote stood out like a cannon blast amidst the usual flurry of rookie optimism and team-friendly soundbites. It didn’t come from a top-10 pick, nor did it come from a big-market darling. It came from Will Howard, a sixth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had just completed a storybook season at Ohio State.

“I’m going to make every team that passed on me regret it,” Howard said in a post-draft media scrum. But when asked directly about the ongoing rumors of Aaron Rodgers possibly signing with Pittsburgh, he added a sharper edge:
“If Aaron Rodgers comes to Pittsburgh, he better be ready. Because I’m not handing anything to anyone. Not even a Hall of Famer.”

The warning was bold. Maybe brash. But for Will Howard, it was the culmination of a journey forged in adversity, rebirth, and undeniable production.

From Wildcat to Buckeye

Will Howard’s path to the NFL wasn’t exactly linear. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound quarterback began his collegiate career at Kansas State, where he showed flashes of brilliance over three seasons. But it was his transfer to Ohio State in 2024 that changed everything.

Howard beat out a room full of blue-chip recruits to win the Buckeyes’ starting job. The move raised eyebrows at the time — a seasoned Big 12 quarterback invading a Big Ten powerhouse wasn’t the norm. But Howard quickly silenced the doubters. He threw for over 4,000 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions, leading Ohio State to a national championship and earning Offensive MVP honors in the title game.

He was everything the Buckeyes needed — a sturdy pocket passer with mobility, leadership, and grit. NFL scouts took notice, but the draft didn’t reflect his resume. Seven quarterbacks were picked before him. Teams cited concerns about “system-based success” and “limited ceiling.” But the Pittsburgh Steelers saw value and potential. They took Howard with the 185th overall pick in the sixth round.

Pittsburgh’s Quarterback Question

To understand why Howard’s warning about Rodgers drew headlines, one must understand the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers entered the 2025 offseason in flux. Kenny Pickett had been traded. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph were serviceable but uninspiring. The team flirted with multiple veteran options. Among them? Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, now 41, was mulling a return to football after missing most of the 2023 season with an Achilles injury and playing sporadically in 2024. While his days of MVP dominance were likely behind him, his name alone still carried weight.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan kept the door open. Rodgers and Pittsburgh held informal meetings. Rumors swirled that a short-term deal was possible — something that would allow Rodgers to mentor a young QB while pushing the Steelers into playoff contention.

But then Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard.

And Howard, never one to back down, made it clear: he didn’t see himself as a developmental arm. He saw himself as the guy.

A Strong Start at Rookie Minicamp

Howard’s impact was immediate. At the Steelers’ rookie minicamp, coaches praised his poise, deep-ball accuracy, and command of the offense. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan commented:
“Will carries himself like he’s already played in the league. He’s coachable, he’s competitive, and he’s got the respect of that locker room already.”

Howard’s leadership, cultivated in the cauldron of Ohio State expectations, translated seamlessly. He reportedly spent hours studying the Steelers’ playbook and offensive terminology before even arriving in Pittsburgh.

Wide receiver Roman Wilson, a third-round pick out of Michigan, was effusive:
“He throws a catchable ball. He’s got touch and confidence. I can tell he’s played in big games.”

Yet amidst the early optimism, the Rodgers speculation lingered. NFL analysts questioned if Howard could truly hold off a legend. Howard’s response? Classic Ohio grit.

“I don’t care who you are — you want to be QB1, you have to take it,” he told The Athletic. “That’s how I earned it at Ohio State. That’s how I’ll earn it here.”

The Rodgers Effect

If Rodgers does join Pittsburgh, he’ll arrive as both competitor and mentor. He’s publicly praised the Steelers organization and said he’s open to guiding a young QB. However, Howard has made it clear he’s not interested in sitting politely on the bench.

“I’ll learn from anyone, sure. I respect Aaron’s career. But I’m not going to back down from competing. This isn’t a farewell tour — this is the NFL,” Howard told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.

NFL insiders believe the Steelers are giving Howard every opportunity to prove he can start, even if Rodgers enters the mix.

“Pittsburgh loves his attitude,” one AFC executive said. “They didn’t draft him to be QB3. They want to see if he can lead this team — and that means letting him fight for it.”

This sets up a potential training camp battle that will dominate headlines: the rookie who conquered college football in one season vs. the aging icon with four MVPs.

Steel City Identity

Howard’s hard-nosed attitude fits perfectly in Pittsburgh, a city that still idolizes Terry Bradshaw’s grit and Ben Roethlisberger’s toughness. He’s not flashy. He’s not corporate. He’s direct, confident, and a bit old-school.

At a recent charity event, a fan asked Howard what jersey number he planned to wear. He grinned and said:
“Whatever number they give me. Just make sure the name on the back says ‘Howard.’”

Steelers fans are already rallying behind him. Social media hashtags like #HowardEra and #SteelWill are trending. Howard has embraced the city, attending Penguins games, visiting local schools, and even quoting Mike Tomlin’s famous “standard is the standard” line in press conferences.

Lessons from Columbus

Howard’s single season at Ohio State serves as a blueprint for his NFL hopes. He didn’t arrive as the anointed starter. He had to win the job from highly recruited prospects. He dealt with intense media scrutiny, a passionate fan base, and high-stakes expectations.

Through it all, he led. Quietly. Firmly. Successfully.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day offered praise after the draft:
“Will brought maturity to our team. He led with calm. When things got tough, he got better. Pittsburgh’s getting a winner.”

Those lessons now carry into the AFC North — a division loaded with elite defenses, harsh weather, and unforgiving fans. But Howard appears built for it.

The Legacy Factor

It’s not lost on Howard that he’s entering the NFL at a time when the old guard is phasing out. Tom Brady is retired. Aaron Rodgers is near the end. Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow are now the standard.

But Howard believes he can belong among them.

“I’ve got a lot to prove. But I’ve proven people wrong my whole life,” he said. “They said I wasn’t good enough at Kansas State. They said I’d never start at Ohio State. Now they say I’m just a sixth-rounder. I hear it. And I’ll use it.”

What Comes Next

If Rodgers signs with the Steelers, the national spotlight will intensify. Every rep, every quote, every interception or touchdown will be dissected. But Howard welcomes the chaos.

“I’ve been in pressure before,” he said. “It doesn’t scare me.”

If Rodgers doesn’t sign, Howard becomes the face of a new chapter in Pittsburgh football. Either way, he’s not waiting in the shadows. He’s already told the NFL — and Aaron Rodgers — that he intends to compete.

“I respect what he’s done. But this is my team to earn now,” Howard said. “I’m not looking to carry his torch. I’m trying to light my own.”

Will Howard isn’t your typical sixth-round quarterback. He’s a national champion, a fighter, and a voice unafraid to challenge legends. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers dons black and gold, one thing is clear:

The kid from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, didn’t come to Pittsburgh to be a backup.

He came to build something.