It’s usually considered an exception when a sixth-round pick makes a name for himself in the NFL. It’s especially rare for a sixth-round pick to become as well-liked by their respective fan base as Will Howard is by Pittsburgh’s. Yet, that’s the situation the quarterback finds himself in as he prepares for his second year in the NFL.
Ben Roethlisberger has called for him to take the starting role. Chris Hoke thinks the Steelers should keep Mason Rudolph around to help prepare Howard for the future. And the praise for Howard doesn’t stick with just those two.
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac published an article of an interview with Art Rooney II. Rooney mentioned that the Steelers asked all of their head coach candidates about the quarterback position. That’s not surprising. What may be, though, is the feedback they got from those candidates regarding Howard.
“We had pretty good feedback on Will Howard being somebody that people would like to have an opportunity to work with,” Rooney said, per Dulac. “So the discussion really was about we have a young quarterback on the roster that people like the upside, and whether it’s sooner or later, I think people are looking forward to working with them.”
There are a lot of things to like about Howard, and the hype is understandable. He won many people over during Ohio State’s journey to the national championship in his final year in college. Howard cost the Buckeyes a game in Oregon, accidentally running the clock out in the fourth quarter. But he demolished them in the first round of the College Football Playoff, then ran the table and won a national championship.
He’s tough, has good size, consistent mechanics, solid accuracy, and can use his legs well. What Steelers fans have seen the most, though, is a charming personality that endears itself to the city of Pittsburgh.
Yet, Will Howard has also never played an NFL snap, preseason or regular season. And he was a sixth-round pick for a reason. It’s easy to like Howard and the mentality he brings to the game. But those two factors must be considered. Many fans want Howard to get his shot, and it’s hard to blame them. Still, we’ll see if the Steelers, a team that never wants to risk a losing season, feel comfortable starting a quarterback with so little experience.
But Howard still seems well-liked around the NFL world. Shortly after Mike McCarthy was hired, insider Tom Pelissero reported that McCarthy was a big fan of Howard. According to Rooney, McCarthy wasn’t the only coach to hold the young quarterback in high regard.
Ultimately, the Steelers need a plan for the future at the position. And that long-term answer will be hard to find this year. The draft is barren at the position, just like the free agent market, although Malik Willis’s name is picking up some steam. However, the Steelers have Will Howard in their back pocket. If they find it hard to add to the position this offseason, maybe we will see Howard get a shot.