It\u2019s usually considered an exception when a sixth-round pick makes a name for himself in the NFL. It\u2019s especially rare for a sixth-round pick to become as well-liked by their respective fan base as Will Howard is by Pittsburgh\u2019s. Yet, that\u2019s the situation the quarterback finds himself in as he prepares for his second year in the NFL.<\/p>\n
Ben Roethlisberger has called<\/a> for him to take the starting role. Chris Hoke thinks the Steelers should keep<\/a> Mason Rudolph around to help prepare Howard for the future. And the praise for Howard doesn\u2019t stick with just those two.<\/p>\n On Monday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette\u2019s Gerry Dulac published an article of an interview<\/a> with Art Rooney II. Rooney mentioned that the Steelers asked all of their head coach candidates about the quarterback position. That\u2019s not surprising. What may be, though, is the feedback they got from those candidates regarding Howard.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had pretty good feedback on Will Howard being somebody that people would like to have an opportunity to work with,\u201d Rooney said, per Dulac. \u201cSo the discussion really was about we have a young quarterback on the roster that people like the upside, and whether it\u2019s sooner or later, I think people are looking forward to working with them.\u201d<\/p>\n There are a lot of things to like about Howard, and the hype is understandable. He won many people over during Ohio State\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s hard to blame them. Still, we\u2019ll see if the Steelers, a team that never wants to risk a losing season, feel comfortable starting a quarterback with so little experience.<\/p>\n But Howard still seems well-liked around the NFL world. Shortly after Mike McCarthy was hired, insider Tom Pelissero reported<\/a> that McCarthy was a big fan of Howard. According to Rooney, McCarthy wasn\u2019t the only coach to hold the young quarterback in high regard.<\/p>\n