To begin the 2025 season, Steelers Rookie QB will compete in the sanctuary where Howard was injured. This is because the 23-year-old suffered from a broken little finger during practice in early August.
Last season, Howard was the starting quarterback for the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. This weekend, Howard will be in Columbus, Ohio, to watch the Buckeyes face the Texas Longhorns. On Friday, Howard appeared on ESPN’s Pat McAfee show to discuss the current situation. He shared this week that he’s back to throwing for the Steelers. A step in the right direction for a rookie QB.
Howard has some time before he gets out of the IR
Wil Howard On @patmcafeeshow He talks about his hand injury and grows a beard. 🔥
– Portersburg (@portersburgh) August 29, 2025
In the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Howard from Ohio State. The rookie QB knows well his place on the Pittsburgh roster this season. Aaron Rodgers is an indisputable starter, and Mason Rudolph is a backup. Speaking to Pat McCuffy Show on Friday, Howard called 2025 a “year of development.” Additionally, Howard told McAfee that he felt he was in strong camp with the Steelers before the injury occurred.
Howard broke Pinky with his thrower during the quarterback and center exchange. That forced the rookie to miss the entire 2025 preseason. These are valuable reps for young QBs with little or no experience in the NFL. Luckily, the Steelers don’t call Howard to start the year.
McAfee’s Howard has moved past injuries and is riding an IR.
– Steelers Depot7⃣ (@steelersdepot) August 29, 2025
He recovers from a hand injury and has time to return to flow. Starting the season with IR, he misses at least the Steelers’ first four games. With Pittsburgh having five weeks of goodbye, it’s week 6 that Howard will come back with the Browns. On Friday, Howard told Pat McAfee that he “feels nice, he’s moving in the right direction.”
Before getting injured this summer, Steelers veterans were impressed by the rookie QB. Defensive Ace Come Hayward said he was impressed with Howard’s IQ because of his age. He also said Howard is a smart football player who asks the right questions. That’s a positive sign for Steelers fans. After Aaron Rodgers leaves, the team searches for a franchise QB. Howard was able to find himself in the mix for the starting roll a year from now.
