Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers sixth-round draft pick Will Howard is developing a valuable mentorship with a familiar face to the franchise, former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Howard opened up about their budding relationship during an appearance on the “Up & Adams” show.
“He’s been good. He’s been super supportive throughout the whole process,” Howard said.
Having a mentor like Roethlisberger could prove to be extremely beneficial for a young quarterback like Howard. The former Ohio State standout also appeared on Roethlisberger’s “Footbahlin” podcast alongside college teammate and fellow Steelers rookie Jack Sawyer.
If anyone knows what it takes to succeed as a quarterback in Pittsburgh, it’s Big Ben. The two-time Super Bowl champion threw for more than 64,000 yards during his career and holds nearly every significant passing record in franchise history.
Roethlisberger’s willingness to mentor young quarterbacks is a notable shift from his playing days. Even though former Steelers backups Landry Jones and Mason Rudolph were mid-to-late round picks who were never true threats to his job, Roethlisberger was noticeably resistant to taking either under his wing. Whether it was due to competitiveness or concerns about job security, mentoring simply wasn’t something he embraced while active.
Howard, meanwhile, has generated buzz following rookie minicamp. Despite being a sixth-round selection, some around the team believe he could be one of the steals of the draft. He currently sits at QB2 behind longtime backup Mason Rudolph, but that could change depending on the long-rumored arrival of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Howard’s path to a starting role will be difficult. He is battle-tested after winning a national championship at Ohio State last season, but the NFL presents a much different challenge, both physically and mentally.
An early endorsement from an icon like Roethlisberger could go a long way. Adjusting to life as an NFL quarterback is no small feat, but with Big Ben in his corner, Howard may be better prepared for the transition.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Will Howard Learning from Steelers Legend at Quarterback
