When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, fans were curious. Was this quarterback from Ohio State the answer for the franchise’s future? On a recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the legendary Steelers quarterback sat down with Howard and fellow Buckeye Jack Sawyer.
By the end of the show, it was clear: there’s something special brewing in Pittsburgh.
This wasn’t just a surface-level conversation. Roethlisberger, who knows what it takes to win in the Black and Gold, dug deep to understand Howard’s mindset. He didn’t waste time getting to the heart of it, asking directly,
“Do you want to be in Pittsburgh?” Howard’s response wasn’t rehearsed or generic — it was real.
“You saw it in the rookie episode I did. I was begging for the Steelers to draft me,” Howard said passionately. “There’s something deep inside me that just really, really wanted to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
Ben Roethlisberger's endorsement of Will Howard is a sign of relief for Pittsburgh Steelers fans
That kind of authenticity is rare, and it struck a chord. Roethlisberger seemed genuinely impressed. And that’s no small thing — Big Ben has not been quick to hand out endorsements. He never made that kind of public connection with Kenny Pickett in 2022.
But with Howard, there was a sense of respect, even belief.
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Howard shared his journey with refreshing honesty. Passed over by Penn State, he used that as fuel. From Kansas State to Ohio State, his path has been anything but easy — but it’s made him battle-tested. A multi-sport athlete, Howard credits his development to his love for competition in baseball, basketball, and, of course, football.
That drive, that chip on his shoulder, screams Pittsburgh.
As I watched, I couldn’t help but get excited. There’s a humility and fire to Howard. A national championship under his belt, a steel-forged will, and a one-on-one with one of the greatest Steelers of all time. It all feels aligned.
Howard might not have been the flashiest pick in the draft, but after this podcast, I believe he could be the one Steelers Nation rallies behind. He wants to be here. And sometimes, that’s where greatness begins.