The Pittsburgh Steelers have been trying to find their franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022.
Pittsburgh has used five different starting quarterbacks since Big Ben hung up his cleats, with 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson all taking the field at some point for head coach Mike Tomlin.
Now, the Steelers are hoping Will Howard can provide a spark in the QB competition, and the 2025 sixth-round selection is aware of the team's needs at the position heading into the season.
"They need like a gritty guy," Howard said recently on Up & Adams. "Growing up for me, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Big Ben. Big Ben was that guy. He was Pittsburgh. He was the Steel City, the blue collar and gritty guy. And I want to be that, too.
"I want to bring that edge and that energy. I think I did a pretty good job of it at Ohio State and I kind of like to pride myself on that and I'm gonna try and bring it to the Steel City."
Howard will get a chance to prove it to the Steelers and their fan base. Over this offseason and last, the Steelers moved on from Pickett via trade, Fields signed with the New York Jets and Wilson joined the New York Giants.
Pittsburgh's QB room is currently filled with Rudolph -- returned after a one-year stint with the Tennessee Titans -- Howard and Skylar Thompson. The club has been linked to free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is still deciding if he would like to play an 21st NFL season or venture off into the sunset.
If Rodgers does eventually sign with the Steelers, Howard wouldn't mind learning from the four-time Most Valuable Player.
"I don't know what's going to happen, that's all over my head. But I'd love to be in a room and learn from him," Howard said regarding Rodgers possibly joining Pittsburgh. "Again, who knows what's going to happen. I have no idea and that's above my head."
Howard, just like the rest of the NFL community, is on a wait-and-see mode for Rodgers' decision, but in the meantime, he's determined to deliver some grit to the Steel City.
