Aaron Rodgers has stepped forward to support Will Howard, the young quarterback from Ohio State, as he develops within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Rodgers, taking on a mentor role, praised Howard’s mental abilities and expressed confidence in his potential for a sustained NFL career.
Rodgers Commits to Mentoring Will Howard Throughout the Season
Early in the current NFL season, Rodgers offered his guidance to Howard, committing to assist him on a weekly basis. Rodgers sees Howard as possessing the right personality and determination to succeed long term in professional football.
Will, in general, I think has what it takes from a personality and a moxie standpoint to have a long career in the league. And you never know what’s going to happen until live bullets start flying, but I went to him early in the season and I said, ‘Listen, I’ll help you as much or as little as you want… because I want you to see the game the way I see it. And I want you to be thinking about the things a young player should be thinking about.‘ I’m a big Will Howard, not just fan as a human, but believer as a player. And when his time comes, he’s going to be more than capable of being, not just a consistent starter, but a guy who can stick in the league for a long, long time,
Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show.
Steelers Leadership Impressed by Howard’s Progress and Role
Both Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan have reviewed Howard’s practice footage extensively, coming away impressed by the quarterback’s development. Howard has frequently worked closely with Rodgers, learning by analyzing defensive schemes and Rodgers’ own signals.
Rodgers referred to Howard as his “right-hand man” during the season, highlighting the younger player’s role in breaking down defensive signals and helping with self-scouting efforts. Howard’s work involved detailed study of opposing defenses and understanding the intricacies of NFL play.
From an intelligence standpoint and processing the presnap stuff, I think he’s gonna be great at that,
Rodgers commented.
He was my right-hand man with all the signals this year and he was phenomenal at it. He sat next to me every meeting. He was sitting next to me in the quarterback room, he was sitting next to me in the big room when we went offense, and I loved it.
Rodgers’ Experience and Future with the Steelers
Under Mike McCarthy’s coaching, Rodgers accumulated more than 42,000 passing yards along with 337 touchdowns and earned two MVP awards over his career. At age 42, Rodgers is now considering whether to continue playing beyond the current season. Despite feeling more refreshed compared to previous years, there is no certainty around his return.
Will Howard Emerges as Key Development Prospect for Steelers
Howard has yet to play in an official NFL game, but the Steelers’ staff, including Rodgers, have placed significant faith in his potential. With Rodgers’ mentorship and McCarthy’s focus, Howard stands as a promising developmental quarterback for the Steelers going forward.
