The Pittsburgh Steelers surprised many by passing over one of the top quarterback prospects, Shedeur Sanders, in the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite having several opportunities to draft Sanders, the Steelers chose not to pull the trigger. Instead, they waited until the sixth round to address the quarterback position, taking a flyer on Ohio State's Will Howard. It was a bold strategy that left some fans scratching their heads for not taking Sanders, but it also opened the door to a potential hidden gem.
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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard runs on the field before a big time game at Oregon.
For most sixth-round picks, expectations are usually modest at best. However, Steelers fans seem to feel a little more optimistic about Howard’s future. One thing that stands out is how surprising it was that Howard even fell that far. During the pre-draft process, Howard impressed scouts and coaches in almost every interview. His physical tools, leadership qualities, and competitiveness caught plenty of attention, yet he still slipped deep into the third day.
Adding to the intrigue, a leaked clip from the Hey Rookie show surfaced showing Howard in a pre-draft interview with an NFL team. When asked, "Why should we draft you?", Howard’s response was nothing short of epic. His confidence, poise, and intensity in that moment made it clear he’s carrying a massive chip on his shoulder — and he’s ready to make every team that passed on him regret it.
"I love that you asked that man," Howard said. "I feel like my whole career, I have been overlooked. I didn’t have an offer from Pitt, not Syracuse, no offer from Boston College, Penn State, Duke, North Carolina. None of those schools offered me. I was trying for years. I went to Kansas State and I wanted to prove those people wrong. I want Penn State to think they missed out on Will Howard."
Howard is no stranger to being overlooked. Coming out of high school, few programs were willing to give him a chance, with Kansas State being one of the only major schools to offer him an opportunity.
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Steelers' QB Will Howard communicating during a game.
He made the most of it, putting together a strong career before transferring to OSU for his final college season. Despite a tremendous 2024 campaign in Columbus, NFL scouts still didn’t give Howard the hype or respect he felt he had earned.
"When I get to the NFL, I don’t want you all to miss out on me," Howard said. "Every single team that picks a quarterback in front of me, I’m going to make it my mission to make sure that they regret not picking me. Draft me or you will regret it."
Howard’s message feels eerily similar to the mindset Tom Brady carried after falling to the sixth round. Of course, no one is expecting Howard to replicate Brady’s legendary success, but the confidence he brings is undeniable. He impressed Jon Gruden during his quarterback evaluation and has continued to turn heads with everything that has surfaced since the draft. It only makes it more shocking that he slipped all the way to the sixth round.
Now, Howard arrives in Pittsburgh on a mission to win the starting job. As things stand, he’ll be competing directly with Mason Rudolph for the top spot. Aaron Rodgers also remains a wild card, with the possibility still looming that he could join the Steelers for the 2025 season. If Rodgers does arrive, it would likely bump Howard to third-string, but it could also give him a golden opportunity to sit, develop, and learn from a four-time league MVP.
Steelers' Howard Full Of Confidence As He Enters The NFL
The Steelers scored a major draft steal by landing Howard so late. There’s virtually no risk with the pick; they secured a potential franchise quarterback without sacrificing any draft capital. What’s even more impressive is how Howard rose to the occasion in big games, particularly during the College Football Playoff.
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Steelers' 6th round draft pick quarterback Will Howard during the 2025 NFL Combine.
While he played alongside a wealth of talent in Columbus, it was his arm and decision-making that made some of those successful throws possible. A dynamic dual threat, Howard’s potential in the NFL is limitless. He’s driven and ready to prove all 31 teams that passed on him wrong.
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