Since 2-time Super Bowl Champion (and last guy you want alone in a room with your girlfriend) Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021—and you can argue for a few of his final seasons—the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in search of a steady starting quarterback.
Last season, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson joined forces to win 10 games but once the playoffs started, it was clear Pittsburgh’s offense didn’t have the juice to compete with the AFC’s best.
With Justin Fields signing with the New York Jets and Russell Wilson signing with the New York Giants, the Steelers entered the draft needing a quarterback who wouldn’t have a subway metrocard the following year.
The Steelers waited until the 6th round to select quarterback Will Howard out of Ohio State, with the No. 185 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
They may have found themselves a gem as Howard used the power of positive thinking to manifest his way onto the Steelers roster.
Will Howard manifested the @Steelers drafting him:
“Please pick me, Pittsburgh. Please pick me, please!” #HeyRookie Season Finale airs 9:30 pm ET tonight on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/qwNIEs7Uw4
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2025
Can Will Howard be the steal of the draft?
Will Howard finished his 2024 college campaign with 4,010 passing yards (6th in the country) and 35 touchdowns (4th in the country), leading Ohio State to win the National Championship and walking away with the MVP trophy.
JEREMIAH SMITH DOES IT AGAIN 🔥
HIS SECOND TOUCHDOWN IN HIS FIRST-EVER CFP GAME 😤
What a dime from Will Howard 👏 pic.twitter.com/BjzndKxTut
— ESPN (@espn) December 22, 2024
Will Howard isn’t the most athletic QB on the planet but he had his best games of the season during the playoffs and I have no doubt he can compete in a crowded AFC North against Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and whoever the Browns play on any given Sunday, like, I’m confident he can compete with Dillon Gabriel.
Plus, Howard will have plenty of opportunities to play with a current Steelers QB room consisting of Howard, Mason Rudolph and Sklar Thompson.
If the Steelers stop playing footsies with Aaron Rodgers and they go into the 2025 season with their roster as is, Will Howard may be the Week 1 starter.
We should all manifest our goals. I will be spending the rest of the day whispering Angelina Jolie’s name to myself until she appears in my apartment.
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