Will Howard’s Uphill Battle to Become the Steelers’ Starting Quarterback

In the storied history of the NFL, few quarterbacks selected in the sixth round of the draft have gone on to secure starting roles for their respective teams. The most iconic exception, of course, is Tom Brady—widely regarded not only as the greatest quarterback of all time, but arguably the greatest player in NFL history.

Will Howard enters the league with intriguing physical tools and a strong collegiate résumé, but he also carries the burden of low draft capital. In a league where first-round quarterbacks are groomed and given every chance to succeed, late-round picks must often wait, watch, and hope for a break.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger noted on his podcast, Footbahlin, that for a player like Howard, the odds are heavily stacked against him—even in the wake of veteran Aaron Rodgers’ departure. If Howard is to have any realistic shot at becoming the franchise’s future starter, he will need to see meaningful game action at some point during the upcoming season.

"Will Howard is behind the eight-ball big time in the sense that he was a sixth-rounder. Unless he comes out at some point this year, he'd have to play this year. Not just practice."

Another factor to consider is the talent-rich 2026 quarterback class—a group that could feature high-profile prospects such as LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina and Drew Allar from Penn State. Depending on the level of promise Howard demonstrates this season, the Steelers may be inclined to pursue their franchise quarterback early in next year’s draft. Such a move would cast further uncertainty over Howard’s long-term role with the team.

Will Howard has the tools, the size, and improved arm talent to compete at the NFL level. But in a league where opportunity is often dictated by draft status and timing, he faces a daunting climb. If he’s to defy the odds, he’ll need to seize every snap, silence every doubt, and force the Steelers to reconsider the narrative that surrounds late-round quarterbacks.

Because in the NFL, fairytales are rare—but not impossible.