Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum predicts Will Howard will start for Steelers by Dec. 1

The future of the Pittsburgh Steelers may belong to Will Howard. The present belongs to Aaron Rodgers, but there’s an expiration date on the 41-year-old’s control over the quarterback position, ESPN‘s Mike Tannenbaum said.

Speaking on Friday’s “Get Up,” Tannenbaum predicted that by the time the calendar flips to December, Howard will be starting under center. Rodgers turns 42 on Dec. 2; Tannenbaum has him spending his birthday on the bench.

“Will Howard will be starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers by Dec. 1,” Tannenbaum said. “Will Howard led Ohio State to the National Championship — 89 QBR and 35 touchdown passes. If he was a little better in the offseason before the draft, he could have been a third or fourth-round pick. Aaron Rodgers is an all-time great, but he will be 42 in December. Last year, Pittsburgh gave up sacks at the 28th highest rate, meaning they were not very good protecting the passer.

“So, when you have a 42-year-old quarterback, no offseason program, an offensive line that should, in fairness, be better because Troy Fautanu is coming back — I think Will Howard has a meaningful chance to be the quarterback of the future and Mike Tomlin will play the best players. By the time we get to December, watch what happens.”

Can Will Howard supplant Aaron Rodgers as Steelers’ QB?

The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He enters the league with the reputation of being a winner after leading Ohio State to a College Football Playoff National Championship this past season. Howard finished the 2024 season throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 73% passing. He rushed for 226 yards and seven additional scores.

Again, perhaps one day this will be Howard’s team. For now, it’s all Rodgers. Pittsburgh also brought back Mason Rudolph, who is projected to be ahead of Howard on the depth chart. From Rodgers’ perspective, he isn’t looking at Howard as competition.

“Will is a good kid,” Rodgers said last month. “We’ve gotten to talk a little bit. I thought he did really well today. You know, he seems pretty bright, not too big for him, going through the progressions really well. But yeah, I mean, I’m gonna be with him every single day, in every single meeting. Found my seat next to him today in the offensive meeting — whether or not that sticks — right next to Will Howard. So, I’m going to help him out as much as I can.”