Second-Year Steelers QB Shares What It’s Like to Be Mentored by Aaron Rodgers in 2026
Will Howard didn’t have a typical rookie season. The 2025 sixth-round draft pick suffered a hand injury during training camp last year, which forced him to miss the entire preseason. The Ohio State alumnus returned to practice later in the regular season. Throughout the 2025 season, Howard was mentored by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 24-year-old recently opened up about what it’s been like to be mentored by the four-time NFL MVP.
Howard appeared on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams podcast on Monday. He talked about his experiences with Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer treats the young quarterback as an equal. Howard remarked, “I’m glad that he’s taken a liking to me, and I’ve taken a liking to him.” He added, “He’s a big respect guy. I feel like, if you show him respect, he’ll show you respect back. In all of my experiences with Aaron, he’s been so good to me and so good to everyone on the team. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around.”
Howard also discussed Rodgers’ leadership style. He explained, “He’s able to be super serious and be locked in and also have a good time, make sure everyone around him is having a good time. I’ve tried to learn from that and take that into my own leadership tool bag, I guess. Just watching the way that he works, I’ve been able to pick up a lot of different things that he does really well.”
During an interview with ESPN Radio on Monday, Howard shared what he’s learned the most from Rodgers. The 24-year-old explained, “I think one of the biggest things with him that I’ve learned, just footwork-wise, is timing is everything. Shortening down your feet and making sure you’re ready to throw the ball before you think you need to be is one of the things that he taught me last year. I was making good throws, but he is like, hey, maybe take a hitch out or shorten down your feet a little bit and be a little more on time, a little more anticipatory. I think that’s one specific thing. But overall, just the way that he sees the game from the front, back, and the way that he understands the run game and the protections.”
The mentorship that Howard received from Rodgers last season and will continue to receive this season is crucial to his development. The four-time NFL MVP gives Howard a deeper insight into quarterbacking that goes beyond just the technical aspects of the game. The knowledge the former Buckeye has gained from the future Hall of Famer is advantageous as he competes to become the top backup QB behind Rodgers. With this being Rodgers’ final season in the NFL, the starting quarterback spot is up for grabs next year. Howard has the potential to become a viable candidate for the role in 2027.
