Steelers' Rookie Will Howard Is Already Making Massive Improvements In His First Ever OTAs

The Pittsburgh Steelers have concluded their third practice of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this offseason. As time goes on, the rookies are starting to get more comfortable with the veterans as they learn the playbook and the system. There will be three more practices in OTAs in June before a small break, then mandatory minicamp starts up for a few days. While some veterans are out, this is the time for rookies to show what they got and prove that they deserve to get reps with more than just the scout team. 

After practice, rookie quarterback Will Howard was asked about his experience with OTAs so far. He got honest about his own abilities during the first three days.

"The first day was a work in progress," Howard said. "I didn't feel great about my first day just coming off the field, but it was a good learning experience for me. I wasn't expecting to be perfect on my first day; I'm not going to be perfect. That's the thing, you got to learn, especially me being young, you got to be able to roll with the punches and know that you're going to make some mistakes, especially being a rookie, and it's how you learn from it and come back from it, and don't get affected by it."

The Steelers' defense, of course, is known for being dominant and physical. However, iron sharpens iron. As long as Howard keeps working and learning to figure out his own teammates defensively, he will eventually develop -- although his ceiling is still up for debate. 

Howard continued on about his rough first practice and how far he has already come.

"The second that I mess up and get in my head, shut down, that's when problems happen," Howard explained. "I feel like Day 1 just wasn't really comfortable yet, didn't really know where my feet were, was a little off timing, and then Day 2 and 3, I think I've been a lot better."

With the current state of the Steelers' quarterback situation, Howard is the second quarterback on the depth chart, with Mason Rudolph being the starter. However, there's no guarantee that he doesn't get demoted to scout team quarterback just by circumstance, as opposed to him doing anything right or wrong, as the Steelers have more plans for that room.

Steelers Still Waiting On Aaron Rodgers

Of course, the Steelers are still expecting veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to run the offense in 2025. That would push Rudolph to the backup role and Howard to third string, where he would just be battling with Skylar Thompson for a spot on the 53-man roster. Even if that doesn't happen, Howard better enjoy these reps now with the second-team offense while he can. 

Even if Rodgers does not sign, the Steelers still want a fourth quarterback on the roster, and they would prefer that player to be a veteran backup. The options there are very slim right now, but the Steelers still likely see them as a better fit than a sixth-round rookie. No matter what happens there, it's safe to say that the team plans to "redshirt" Howard and not let him get a snap in the regular season in his rookie year. Time will tell.

Howard could still become the QB2 in 2026 if he keeps improving and showing that he's capable of performing well in an NFL offense. For a short period of time, he will get those needed backup reps, but he will have to take those lessons over with him into 2026, as it would take an injury to a veteran for him to get those crucial snaps in practice in his rookie year.

What do you think about Howard's immediate improvement in OTAs? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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