There’s something special about that first Pittsburgh Steelers training camp practice — the grass feels greener, the fans cheer a little louder, and every rep carries the weight of dreams.
For rookie quarterback Will Howard, it’s all real now. On Wednesday, the sixth-round pick out of Ohio State arrived at St. Vincent College in Latrobe for his first NFL training camp — and he’s already turning heads, not with flashy throws, but with his attitude.
Back in April, when the Steelers called Howard’s name during Day 3 of the draft, there were more questions than answers. A National Champion with plenty of pedigree, sure — but would he be thrown into action early? Or take the slow road behind one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks?
Now, just a few months later, it’s clear what Howard is here to do: learn, grow, and prepare like a pro.
“To get better every single day. That’s all,” Howard told reporters when asked about his camp goals. “Every single day that I am out here, I am going to try to evaluate myself, elevate my game, and learn something new. I’ve been told in my life you’re either getting better or you’re getting worse every single day.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers are grooming Will Howard the right way under Aaron Rodgers
That’s the kind of mentality Pittsburgh fans love to hear. No drama, no entitlement — just a rookie hungry to improve.
And Howard knows exactly who to watch and learn from: Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is taking the reins for what could be his final NFL season, and Howard is soaking in every second.
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“It’s cool to see how Aaron’s mind works and how quickly he processes things and how much knowledge he has,” Howard said, eyes wide with admiration. “I’m just trying to be a sponge right now.”
It’s easy to root for a guy like this. Howard isn’t asking for the spotlight — he’s asking for reps, feedback, and time to grow into the quarterback Pittsburgh hopes he can become.
Of course, no one knows how the season will play out. But one thing’s clear: the Steelers have a rookie QB who wants to be here. He wants to learn. He wants to earn it.
And in this town, that effort matters. A lot.