Joey Porter Jr. Makes Gigantic Statement Regarding Steelers QB Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to navigate a wave of uncertainty at the quarterback position ahead of the 2026 season, and it has quickly become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the team. With Aaron Rodgers still weighing his future, all eyes have started to shift toward the younger options on the roster. That includes Will Howard, who is beginning to generate real intrigue both inside the building and among the fan base.

As the offseason progresses, Howard’s development has quietly become more important than many initially expected. While he may not have entered the year as the presumed starter, the ongoing uncertainty has created an opportunity for him to prove he belongs in the conversation. 

Teammates have taken notice, and there is a growing sense that his presence, both on and off the field, is starting to carry more weight. That is where Joey Porter Jr. stepped in with a statement that turned heads while speaking during the 2026 NFL Draft via the NFL Draft's AMEX Member Lounge. 

In a locker room that understands the pressure surrounding the quarterback situation, Porter’s words offered a glimpse into how players inside the organization truly view Howard. At a time when outside noise continues to dominate the discussion, moments like this can speak volumes about the confidence building behind the scenes.

"Even Will Howard like the jumps he has made man," Porter said while speaking via the AMEX Member Lounge on Friday. "I got a lot of trust in that kid. He is going to be good."

Some Steelers fans were quick to point out that Porter mainly highlighted Howard’s intangibles and not his on-field talent. Some fans even found that eerily reminiscent of Kenny Pickett. 

Whether that is true or not, Porter clearly values the mental makeup of his young quarterback.

"He just had that edge," Porter said. "He wants to get it done. He has that grit and at the end of the day you can look at your teammate and know he is going to pull through. He has my back and Will Howard is one of those guys that you want to have your back. Just to have that on the field with you and that confidence. That is what you want out of a quarterback and he has that."

Those words from Porter carry weight, especially in a locker room that has seen its fair share of uncertainty at the position. When a defensive player speaks that confidently about a quarterback, it usually reflects what is happening behind closed doors. 

For Howard, that kind of respect is not handed out, it is earned through preparation, leadership, and consistency in the moments that matter most.

Steelers' Howard Continues To Earn Trust Inside The Locker Room

At the same time, belief inside the building only goes so far. The Steelers still need answers, and those answers will ultimately come from what Howard does when the lights are on. Intangibles can separate good players from great ones, but they have to be paired with production. If Howard can match the confidence his teammates have in him with steady on-field performance, then this conversation could shift in a very real way as the season approaches.

Until then, the situation remains fluid. With Rodgers still looming over everything, Howard’s opportunity is both real and fragile at the same time. However, if Porter’s comments are any indication, there is already a foundation of trust being built.; and, in a year where nothing feels certain, that might be more valuable than people realize. It's not typical that a sixth-round pick generates the hype Howard has before ever playing a meaningful snap. but that is what has happened in Pittsburgh.

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