The Pittsburgh Steelers made a calculated move in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Ohio State QB Will Howard in the sixth round with the No. 185 overall pick. Howard, at 6’4” and 240 pounds, is a great signal-caller with a proven track record in college. He caught the attention of the Steelers’ coaching staff with what he did just hours after being drafted.
Will Howard’s Quiet Draft Night Gesture Spoke Volumes
Howard’s journey to the NFL wasn’t the usual first-round hype story. After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State for his final college season, he led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory over Oregon, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a standout performance.
Per Devin Jackson from the inquirer: Shortly after Will Howard was drafted he immediately called Pittsburgh Steelers QB coach (Tom Arth) to ask for the Steelers playbook to be sent to him.
Arth responded “’Hey, we were going to give you the weekend off, but this is why we… pic.twitter.com/CF36TjHyar
— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) May 4, 2025
His college career showcased his ability to execute against top-tier competition, but questions about his arm strength and consistency pushed him down draft boards in the 2025 NFL Draft. What Howard did in the hours after being drafted proved the team was right to bet on his talent, work ethic, and leadership quality.
So, hours after hearing his name called on draft night, Howard wasted no time celebrating. Instead, he picked up the phone and dialed Steelers quarterback coach Tom Arth. He made a shocking request, asking the coach to send over the playbook, and wanted to get to work immediately.
“Hey, we were going to give you the weekend off, but this is why we drafted you, because it’s the kind of worker you are.” Howard reportedly told Arth.
The moment caught the attention of fans, who saw it as a window into Howard’s character. Howard’s initiative was a breath of fresh air for a team like the Steelers, which has been searching for a long-term answer at the quarterback position since Roethlisberger retired in 2021.
The teams’ current roster includes veteran QBs like Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph, while a late-round pick, Howard, brings a hunger that could set him apart in the QB room.
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Looking ahead, Howard’s immediate future will likely involve a lot of time on the practice field and in the film room. He’s not expected to start immediately as a late-round pick, but his work ethic could earn him a bigger role sooner than expected.
For now, Howard’s focus is clear: learn the playbook, build chemistry with his teammates, and soak in every piece of advice from Arth and the coaching staff. If his draft night phone call is any indication at all, then he’s not here to waste time.
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