Steelers Now
After the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, there was a ripple of enthusiasm among some fans. All you have to do is scroll on X (formerly “Twitter”) and see reposts of Jon Gruden footage with Howard. Chris Simms of the NFL on NBC says slow down the expectations and excitement.
Simms observed the hype and even more so, a big question even Jon Gruden asked: why wasn’t Howard considered a first-round quarterback?
“Why isn’t Will Howard being talked about as a first-round or a second-round quarterback? I don’t know, because his arm is below average,” Simms said on his podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned.
“He’s not incredibly accurate, and he’s not the greatest athlete in the world … it’s just the expectations.” Simms continued. He makes a fair point. A sixth-round quarterback shouldn’t have huge expectations.
Howard did have a rough scouting combine working, after all. He did, however, follow it up with a good pro day. His championship run was also impressive as he led the Buckeyes to their first title in 10 years.
So, if not a championship pedigree and ability to play in big spotlights, what is it that makes Howard stand out? Simms pointed out maybe it’s his presence at a big school like Ohio State. Or maybe it was more than that.
“There’s a bunch of first-round players on the football team with him,” Simms declared. “[Howard] is getting the benefit of how awesome the team is there.”
Ohio State produced 14 draft selections in the 2025 draft class, including Howard. Among those included two first-round linemen, a first-round wide receiver, and two second-round running backs on offense alone.
On one hand, weapons help you elevate your quarterback. On the other hand, few quarterbacks produced without said weapons.
In Howard’s defense, Ohio State sought him out in the transfer portal after disappointment with Kyle McCord in 2023. He played a strong role in boosting the Buckeye offense as they increased their points per game from 45th in FBS to 14th.
Expectations for a sixth-round quarterback should indeed be lower than most. If you’re Howard, though, every opportunity is one to prove someone like Simms wrong. He will get plenty of that soon in mini camp and training camp.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former NFL QB Throws Cold Water on Hype for Steelers Rookie Will Howard
