Finding a franchise quarterback is one of the hardest tasks in football. Just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the team has shuffled through names, hoping to strike gold under center. Unfortunately, year after year, the search continued — sometimes painfully — with more questions than answers. The signing of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers this offseason on a one-year deal was significant, but it was a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.
Thankfully, Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office didn’t put all their eggs in the 2026 NFL Draft basket.
Instead, they made a quietly brilliant move in the sixth round of the 2025 Draft, selecting former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard. It wasn’t a pick that stole headlines — Howard wasn’t even a consensus top-five quarterback in the class — but after Week 1 of the college football season, that decision looks more and more like a stroke of genius.
Howard's college résumé speaks for itself: 9,796 passing yards, 83 touchdowns, and a College Football Playoff National Championship. He may not have had the pre-draft hype of some of his peers, but the production, leadership, and toughness were always there.
Meanwhile, the presumed stars of the 2026 quarterback class showed flashes but not fireworks in their season openers. John Mateer (Oklahoma), Drew Allar (Penn State), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), and Carson Beck (Miami) all played efficiently — but none looked like surefire top-10 picks ready to take over an NFL franchise.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must continue to evaluate the college football QB class of 2026
Sure, it’s only Week 1, and there’s a long season ahead. They may grow into stars. However, the hype surrounding this class seems somewhat premature.
What’s comforting for Steelers fans is that Pittsburgh doesn’t have to panic or pray for a college breakout star. They’ve already got a developmental prospect learning behind one of the greatest to ever play the position.
Will Howard is soaking in knowledge from Aaron Rodgers — a future Hall of Famer known not just for his arm talent, but for his pre-snap mastery and poise under pressure. That’s an invaluable resource for a young quarterback.
Howard’s leadership and maturity were praised throughout his college career, and now, he's in an ideal environment to take the next step. He’s not being thrown into the fire. He’s learning the system, adjusting to NFL speed, and preparing for when his number is called — whether that's late this season or next.
I’m sure Pittsburgh’s scouts are still doing their homework on the 2026 class — what team wouldn’t be?
But there's comfort in knowing they may not need to spend high draft capital chasing the next big thing. Sometimes, the right quarterback doesn’t come in round one. Sometimes, it’s a sixth-round pick with a chip on his shoulder and a championship on his résumé.
Will Howard might not have been the flashy pick, but after one week of college ball, he’s looking like the right pick.