Steelers Rookie QB Will Howard Reflects on Rough Start to OTAs: ‘Roll With the Punches’
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard is keeping his head high following a rough start to OTAs.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard is getting acclimated to the NFL with the first few days of OTAs in the books. However, he revealed it hasn’t gone as smoothly as he would have liked.
“The first day was a work in progress,” Howard said. “I didn’t feel great about my first day, just coming off the field, but it was a good learning experience for me.”
The 23-year-old is quickly learning the difference in talent and speed at the next level, but he isn’t letting his rough start get to him.
“I wasn’t expecting to be perfect on my first day,” Howard said. “You gotta be able to roll with the punches and know that you’re going to make mistakes, especially being a rookie. It’s how you learn from it, come back from it, and don’t get affected by that. The second I mess up and then get it my head and shut down, that’s when problems happen.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Howard hasn’t had an ideal start to his NFL career as a sixth-round pick (No. 185). But the good news is, it’s just the beginning stages of the offseason program.
The Steelers still have another week of OTAs and then mandatory minicamp the following week. That will give Howard plenty of time to continue picking the brain of vets like Mason Rudolph before breaking for the summer.
“He’s been awesome,” Howard said. “I just think the vibe in the quarterback room is really cool. Super good dude, super welcoming. Meeting Mason, I knew we’d hit it off, and he’s a great dude, man. He’s helped me a lot and look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Even if Howard continues to make strides, Pittsburgh isn’t planning to rush him into the starting lineup, though. That will set him up for the most success at the next level.
All he can do is focus on getting better each day, and he’s already seen better results.
“Day one, I just really wasn’t comfortable yet, didn’t really know where my feet were, was a little off timing,” Howard said. “Then day two and three, I think I’ve been a lot better.”
In 2024, Howard threw for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and rushed for 226 yards and seven more scores while leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a College Football National Championship.