Former Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden believes former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard deserves a chance to start in the NFL.
Appearing on the “Up and Adams” show May 6, Haden gave his take on the Steelers’ quarterback room. Pittsburgh is still waiting to see if veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is willing to re-sign with them.
“At the end of the day, they drafted [Will Howard] last year; he got to sit behind Aaron Rodgers for a whole season. You got to see what you got. Then we’ve got to know if Drew Allar’s going to need to be the next guy.”
Adams then asked Haden what he had heard about Howard.
“I’ve heard pretty good things,” Haden said. “I’ve heard good things. I’ve heard he’s a constant professional; he’s a big guy. When I saw him at Ohio State, he was throwing the ball to Jeremiah Smith, and that looked really good. He looked like it could work in the NFL to me. So I’m like, give the dude his chance.”
After taking Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 draft.
According to ESPN, the Steelers placed an unrestricted free agent tender on Rodgers May 5, which limits him to signing with only the Steelers once training camp begins in July. If he signs elsewhere before July 22, the Steelers would get a compensatory draft pick.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Joe Haden on ex-Ohio State QB Will Howard, ‘give a dude his chance’
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
