Will Howard on Aaron Rodgers potentially joining Steelers: 'I'd love to learn from him'

Will Howard is open to the idea of Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers at some point. Rodgers is still in limbo when it comes to making a decision to play another season in the NFL.

For Howard, the former Ohio State and Kansas State QB, he’s just ready to get acclimated to the pros after coming to Pittsburgh as a sixth round pick. The quarterback room seems bare, following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, so it wouldn’t be out of left field to see the rookie get some playing time this year.

But if Rodgers were to join the team, a team that just made the playoffs last season, Howard would be all for it. It’s a chance to learn from a future Hall of Famer.

“Idolized him growing up,” Howard said on Up and Adams. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Who knows? That’s all over my head, but I’d love to be in a room and learn from him.”

Howard had the best season of his career when he finished at Ohio State. He put up the best numbers of his college career and capped off his career as a national champion.

Howard finished 2024-25 with 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 73% completion percentage. He ran for 226 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

If Howard is going to learn from Rodgers in Pittsburgh, the QB will have to sign first. It was a less-than-stellar two-year run with the New York Jets, highlighted by his torn Achilles on the first drive of the 2023 season.

Biographer and sports writer Ian O’Connor recently spoke about Rodgers’ timeline. It’s his expectation that Rodgers will be with the Steelers by the end of May.

“I just think verbally, behind the scenes, not that he guaranteed it, but he’s told [the Steelers], ‘Listen, I’m gonna play for you. I just don’t want to go there and then miss part of mandatory minicamp because of my personal issues,’” O’Connor said. “I’m pretty sure they’re gonna be solved by the end of May, at least in my satisfaction where I can give you my all.’ So that’s where I think he is.”

O’Connor spoke with On3 ahead of the 2024 season about Rodgers’ biography and what made the recently controversial quarterback tick. The story isn’t over, but it hasn’t set up for the best ending right now, as people don’t look fondly on his Jets’ tenure.

For now, it seems to be Steelers or bust for Rodgers. As far as Howard is concerned, he’s ready to rock and roll with or without him.