Steelers got a “steal” in Will Howard, feels Jon Gruden

Will Howard, newly drafted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, won the National Football Championship last season with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Steelers got a “steal” in Will Howard, feels Jon Gruden

Jon Gruden showered praises on Will Howard (Images via Getty Images/Silver and Black Pride)

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Will Howard with the 185th pick in the 6th round. Earlier, the Steelers safeguarded themselves amid free agent Aaron Rodgers’ mood swings, opting instead to sign Mason Rudolph.

Will Howard wasn’t a first-rounder or even a second-rounder prospect ahead of the draft. However, he had the support of some big names, including the American president Donald Trump. The septogenarian president had admitted that the former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback would be the next best quarterback after the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.

It wasn’t unwarranted praise. Howard had helped lead Ohio State to a College Football Playoff National Championship during his only season with the Buckeyes. Although not the focal point of the offense, he had earned the game’s offensive MVP honors.

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden had taken a particular interest in Howard’s development. He had previously hosted the quarterback on his long-running QB Camp series, where Howard’s leadership and knowledge had impressed Gruden. Speaking at the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame induction on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Gruden offered a firm endorsement of Howard’s potential.

I’ll go on record here. The Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal in Will Howard. That guy is a stud.

Josh Gruden said in the interview

The appreciation from Jon Gruden is a positive note for the young quarterback ahead of the rookie camp. Will Howard, although he currently seems to have an actual shot at the starter position, could face a challenge from any unpredictable signing or even Rudolph. As for now, everything is going smoothly enough for the young quarterback.

Why was Will Howard drafted so late?

Quarterback Will Howard entered the 2025 NFL Draft with impressive credentials but fell deep into the third day of the selection process. Although several quarterbacks have previously shown that, despite coming from previous rounds, they are worthy qualifiers.

Will Howard
Will Howard (Image via Athlon Sports)

Despite leading Ohio State to a national championship, teams remained cautious about his long-term upside. Howard had transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State and adapted rapidly to a new offensive system. Within one season, he won over teammates and the coaching staff, leading the Buckeyes to a title.

Analysts had praised his mental toughness and dual-threat ability, yet concerns persisted, like the NFL Combine, where Howard recorded below-par stats.

Although his leadership and other soft skills stood out in the interviews as per the NFL team personnel, there were several concerns about his skills translating into the professional sphere. Steve Palazzolo of the 33rd Team recently shared his two cents on 93.7 The Fan on why he thought Will Howard fell into day three.

I don’t know if there’s anything specific fatally as far as the flaw, it’s just inconsistency… There was some games where his accuracy is all over the place… He will overthrow receivers over the middle of the field a couple times a game it seems and his arm is not great. It’s good. I think he’s been touted as having a big arm, but it’s not great. It’s fine and the athleticism is kind of like a lower end Daniel Jones.

Steve Palazzolo said

Howard’s athleticism and intelligence were never doubted, but his technical inconsistencies was something the scouts noted upon. In cases like these, there’s often the question of whether the drafted quarterbacks answer the long-term needs of the team.

The Steelers, however, believed the reward outweighed the risk when selecting him late in the draft. They were attracted to his championship experience, humility, and capacity for growth in a structured environment. If Howard addresses his inconsistencies, he could exceed expectations. After all, even the president himself has rooted for him.

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