Steelers Finally Go Quarterback, Draft Ohio State’s Will Howard
The Pittsburgh Steelers are selecting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard with the No. 185 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
PITTSBURGH — After passing on quarterback through the first two and a half days of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally added one, selecting Ohio State’s Will Howard with the No. 185 overall pick in the sixth round.
Howard, 23, ranks as the sixth-best quarterback and No. 101 overall player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board after leading the Buckeyes to a College Football National Championship in 2024.
During that span, Howard threw for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 226 yards and seven more scores.
The 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback has drawn comparison to another Steelers quarterback — Mason Rudolph, who he will join along with Skylar Thompson in Pittsburgh.
Howard is also joining his former Ohio State teammate, edge rusher Jack Sawyer, who was selected in the fourth round (No. 123).
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan met with Howard ahead of his Ohio State pro day and he seemed to love the idea of heading to Pittsburgh.
“It’s been really good, man. Spent some time with them yesterday, coach Tomlin, coach Smith,” Howard said. “I really like those guys. It’s close to home for me. It’s close to here. There’s a lot of things to like about it, but you never know. Anything can happen, but it’s definitely a great spot.”
Howard now gets his wish as the Steelers continue to wait on the decision of free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, Howard played at Kansas State for four years, two of which he was the starter. During those two seasons, he threw for 4,276 yards, 39 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Howard returns to his home state as a native of West Chester, PA.