To start the 2025 season, Steelers rookie QB Will Howard will be in the injured reserve team. That’s because the 23-year-old boy broke his bone during an exercise in early August.
Last season, Howard was the starting QB for national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. This weekend, Howard was in Columbus, Ohio, watching the Buckeye face the Texas Longhorn. Howard appeared on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show on Friday and discussed his current form. He shared that he was throwing for the Steelers this week. Rookie QB takes a step in the right direction.
Will Howard left IR for a while
Will Howard @patmcafeeshow Talk about his hand hurt and his beard grows. 🔥
— Portersburgh (@Portersburgh) August 29, 2025
In the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers chose Will Howard to leave Ohio State. Rookie QB is well aware of his position in Pittsburgh’s roster this season. Aaron Rodgers is the undisputed starter and Mason Rudolph is the backup. Will Howard spoke on Friday during a show with Pat McAfee, calling the 2025 “Development Year”. Additionally, Howard told McAfee that he felt he had a strong camp with the Steelers before he was injured.
Will Howard broke his pinky finger in a quarterback and center exchange. This forced the rookies to miss the entire 2025 preseason. These are valuable sales reps for young QBs, and the NFL has little experience. Fortunately, the Steelers won’t call on Howard to start the year.
Will Howard was injured and IR on McAfee: “It killed me, I can’t play in the preseason. I think my fall camp is really good and want to bring it into the preseason and show my abilities to the Stills Country. But you have to trust…
– Steelers Depot7⃣ (@SteelersDepot) August 29, 2025
He has time to recover from a hand injury and resume his flow. He will miss the Steelers’ first four games starting this season with the IR. With goodbye to Pittsburgh in Week 5, the earliest Will Howard vs. Browns in Week 6. “It feels good to go in the right direction,” Howard told Pat McAfee on Friday.
Steelers veterans were impressed with rookie QB before being injured this summer. Defensive ace Cam Heyward said he was impressed with Howard’s age. Additionally, he said Howard was a smart football player and he asked the right questions. This is a positive signal for Steelers fans. After Aaron Rodgers leaves, the team will look for the franchise QB. Will Howard can find his starting role from now on.
