Steelers select Will Howard, QB, The Ohio State #185 overall

[Born2Steel]

There is no clear-cut one-way to look at the QB situation right now. It really will be a competition for the starting job if ARod no-shows. That has to be exciting and Fun​ for fans. The Saints fans I live and work around are asking, will it be Rattler or Shough? They have the same type conversations we are having. They watched Rattler go 0-6 last season. Some are saying he can learn from that and be a better QB this year, others are saying Shough was drafted at 40 by the new regime, so it's his job to lose. I tend to agree with the latter group, but again, same as it is with us, I'm not there seeing what the coaches are seeing. So it's all just fans talking and speculating. I may be waaaay off with my eval that Will Howard is the better QB in the room currently. But I think he is.

[Mojouw]

The level of excitement/anticipation, for me, is related to expectations also.

I am excited for Howard to play in 2025. See if all the hype on him is real and he really did take a big developmental step at OSU.

That being said, I think the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers are shaping up to be a 5-7 win team. And I expect them to get blown out multiple times during the regular season and fall well short of the playoffs.

Those pockets of Steelers fandom that seem to be talking themselves into a "winning" season and somehow getting this team into the playoffs for a few rounds...those are the ones that will be moaning about unprepared players, poor coaching, and clamoring for everyone to get fired by week 4.

This post was not meant to target anyone specifically, but identify a well worn pattern. If you think the 2025 Steelers are a competitor, this is going to be a rough season for you. If you think they are a majorly flawed team in the middle of rebuild....then there is a lot to look forward to - such as: Smith running his preferred scheme, Metcalf leading a revamped WR room, one of the 32 TEs on the roster finally "breaking out", the young pieces on the OL settling in, the continued development of the CB room, etc.

[El Kabong]

And I maintain that Mike Tomlin doesn't do losing seasons and he will get to 9 wins if Skylar Thompson has to start them all.

[Moose]

Hope he gets plenty of snaps to judge fairly.

[Born2Steel]

I'm not gonna post the video because I watched most of it and, to me, it was one of the most boring Q&A I've ever witnessed. Anyway, ARod was on a stage and people in the crowd were asking him about playing and who and stuff like that. Rodgers never said yes to any team. He did however say no, to every team he was asked about except the Steelers. When asked if he would consider the Saints he said no, he didn't want to live in the Louisiana heat. One person asked if he would ever consider the Bears. Again he said no. He went on to talk about how much he does love Chicago, but Chicago doesn't much like him back, so no. BUT, he said maybe a team that will play in Chicago this season. A guy asked if he would come to Pittsburgh and he never really answered directly, like he did with the others.

I don't know what the wait is, but I think he's coming to Pittsburgh.

[Rotorhead]

The level of excitement/anticipation, for me, is related to expectations also.

I am excited for Howard to play in 2025. See if all the hype on him is real and he really did take a big developmental step at OSU.

That being said, I think the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers are shaping up to be a 5-7 win team. And I expect them to get blown out multiple times during the regular season and fall well short of the playoffs.

Those pockets of Steelers fandom that seem to be talking themselves into a "winning" season and somehow getting this team into the playoffs for a few rounds...those are the ones that will be moaning about unprepared players, poor coaching, and clamoring for everyone to get fired by week 4.

This post was not meant to target anyone specifically, but identify a well worn pattern. If you think the 2025 Steelers are a competitor, this is going to be a rough season for you. If you think they are a majorly flawed team in the middle of rebuild....then there is a lot to look forward to - such as: Smith running his preferred scheme, Metcalf leading a revamped WR room, one of the 32 TEs on the roster finally "breaking out", the young pieces on the OL settling in, the continued development of the CB room, etc.

Well, I mostly agree, and just like when KP was selected, I would like to see what we have so we know for next season if we need a QB. But, like the KP rookie season, we probably won’t know and we are literally repeating the past mistakes with QB.

[steelcityboyz]

Well, I mostly agree, and just like when KP was selected, I would like to see what we have so we know for next season if we need a QB. But, like the KP rookie season, we probably won’t know and we are literally repeating the past mistakes with QB.

That's the problem, I'll bet the house Howard doesn't see any playing time this year, there for we won't know if he can lead this team or not. You are right we will repeat the past mistakes again, seems like that's how this teams coaching rolls.

[El Kabong]

But there are times when a rookie QB comes in with a team and sits for a year and then goes on to do well. Seems like there's more than one way to do it.

[Hawkman]

People seem to forget that if both Maddox and Batch hadn’t gone down in Ben’s rookie year, he may never have seen the field that year.

[feltdizz]

That's the problem, I'll bet the house Howard doesn't see any playing time this year, there for we won't know if he can lead this team or not. You are right we will repeat the past mistakes again, seems like that's how this teams coaching rolls.

what 6th round rookie QB sees time unless there are injuries? Folks need to be realistic with Howard. He’s going to need some time before he gets his shot.

[Born2Steel]

what 6th round rookie QB sees time unless there are injuries? Folks need to be realistic with Howard. He’s going to need some time before he gets his shot.

This is true. 100%. BUT.... if we have to roll out week 1 with MR, chances are good he doesn't last past the first month. I think he would fare better than the rookie. But I have very little confidence in Mason. Skylar Thompson has exactly 3 starts in the NFL. By all measurements, we are a crap sandwich at QB currently.