Latest news with #Footbahlin
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Howard Brings Blue-Collar Mindset to Steelers: ‘I'm Going to Outwork Everybody'
Pittsburgh Steelers' sixth-round pick Will Howard enters a Steelers quarterback room that includes Mason Rudolph and former Kansas State teammate Skylar Thompson. Of course, his position on the totem pole will rely heavily on the looming decision of Aaron Rodgers. As of right now, Howard is just focusing on outworking everyone. Advertisement 'That's what I like to hang my hat on — working hard. You know, I may not be the most talented guy in the world all the time — but I'm going to outwork everybody,' Howard told Missi Matthews of in a one-one-one interview. 'That's what I like to be about: bringing the heart, bringing the fire, and just outworking people.' Howard, who is known for his acute work ethic and film study, wanted to get to work shortly after getting selected by the Steelers. Speaking to Devin Jackson of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Howard's mother, Maureen, said the Steelers coaches gave him the weekend off despite wanting to get a head start on study the playbook. 'On Sunday, Howard reached out to Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth for plays, according to his mother, much to the delight of the Steelers coaching staff,' Jackson wrote. '[Arth] wrote [Howard] back and said, '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.' Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback WIll Howard during Steelers rookie minicamp on Mya 9, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Howard played a key part in Ohio State's National Championship run last season. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound signal-caller has the tools to succeed. He stared down pressure well and set the Buckeyes' single-season and career completion records. Advertisement Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden thinks Howard could be one of the biggest steals in the draft. 'I'll go on record here. The Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal in Will Howard. Let me tell you something. That guy is a stud,' Gruden said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. 'I think there are some guys that are pretty darn good in this year's class. They just got to go prove it.' Howard appeared on Ben Roethlisberger's Footbahlin podcast earlier this month and shared one key detail that separates him from other quarterbacks. 'Something I like to hang my hat on is dealing with adversity. I think in my career, at K-State and then at Ohio State this past year, I've seen pretty much every situation a quarterback can see,' Howard said. 'I started off as a backup, and I got thrown in as a true freshman and didn't know what I was doing. I got benched, man. I've been the third-string quarterback. I've been a freaking starter, coming in and winning a championship. And then, you know, having a guy come in and split time with you. I've seen almost every situation.' Advertisement Despite the fact that Howard achieved what he set out to do, he ended up being a sixth-round pick. A fair amount can be attributed to his underwhelming NFL Scouting Combine performance or the perception of being carried by elite talent at Ohio State. Regardless, Howard could have the most opportunity of a Steelers rookie quarterback since Devlin Hodges was thrown into the fire. What happens at that point is anyone's guess. In the best-case scenario, the Steelers have the steal of the draft. In a worst-case scenario, he is a career backup as expected of a sixth-rounder. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Will Howard Brings Blue-Collar Mindset to Steelers: 'I'm Going to Outwork Everybody'
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger isn't a fan of trading for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger isn't a fan of trading for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins Steelers legend QB Ben Roethlisberger isn't a fan of trading for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins. Multiple insiders have linked Cousins as the Steelers' ideal Plan B if their Plan A — Aaron Rodgers — retires in 2025. On the most recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, co-host Spencer Te'o and Big Ben's personal chef discussed the possibility of Pittsburgh acquiring Cousins — which had the former Steelers QB shaking his head in disapproval. When Te'o asked Chef Evan and Big Ben if they liked the idea of trading for Cousins, here's what Roethlisberger had to say: "I would've [liked trading for Cousins] earlier, but not now at this point." Earlier in the episode, Roethlisberger had argued that the trade was seemingly possible due to Atlanta's desire for trade partners to eat over $20 million of Cousins' guaranteed money. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Big Ben takes subtle jab at Rodgers: 'I just want someone who's going to start practicing'
Big Ben takes subtle jab at Rodgers: 'I just want someone who's going to start practicing' Ben Roethlisberger is ready for this Steelers QB waiting game to be over. Whether it's Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, or another veteran QB the Steelers bring in — Big Ben just wants someone to show up and start getting practice reps with the team. On the most recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, co-host Spencer Te'o and Chef Evan discussed with Ben the possibility of Cousins joining the offense. At first, Roethlisberger shot down the idea entirely — before seemingly pivoting back to the Rodgers delay: "I just want someone here who's going to get reps and start practicing." It's likely that this certain 'someone' Big Ben is referencing is none other than Rodgers — the only player who has yet to sign with the Steelers and has missed out on numerous opportunities to practice with Pittsburgh this offseason. Roethlisberger previously expressed frustration over the Steelers–Rodgers drama, suggesting that the four-time MVP might even be holding out for a Vikings QB vacancy to open up. While Rodgers would go on to shoot down the rumor painted by Big Ben, no one can deny that this situation has gone on long enough. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Wilson Grateful for Time with Steelers: ‘Pittsburgh Was a Good Place for Me'
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs out of the tunnel before a game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Despite things not working out, Russell Wilson has had nothing but good things to say about the Pittsburgh Steelers organization since departing to New York. He was complimentary of the Steelers during his introductory press conference with the Giants in March, and he had similar sentiments during a recent interview on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. 'Pittsburgh was a good place for me,' Wilson said. 'It really helped rejuvenate me in every way because of the locker room there, the pros, guys like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, guys like Miles Killebrew, those captains. And then just the guys I was around, the hard work those guys put in. Advertisement 'I remember seeing a guy like Calvin Austin III, young star, who just wanted to be great, came to San Diego, wanted to work with me. Just guys that I really appreciate. Guys like Najee Harris and how he went about practicing hard every day. Different guys you get to know, teammates like Dan Moore, who I got to be really close with, and many others.' Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson at practice for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 1, 2025. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now Wilson signed a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed with the Giants this offseason. Wilson, 36, spent the 2024 season with the Steelers in what was a tale of two halves. After returning from a calf injury in Week 7, Wilson helped rattle off six wins in seven games. But his play took a downturn on the team's five-game losing streak to end the season. Advertisement During that span, the Steelers failed to score more than 17 points in every game, a streak that hasn't occurred since Chuck Noll's first season in 1969. It's safe to say that left a sour taste in the Steelers mouths and played a role in Wilson not returning. Wilson reportedly also didn't see eye to eye with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. In February, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Smith did not want Russell Wilson changing plays at the line of scrimmage despite the QB's big game in the Week 13 win over Cincinnati. The Steelers scored a season-high 44 points against the Bengals and Wilson posted an impressive 414 yards passing to go along with three touchdown passes. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger confirmed on his Footbahlin podcast with Pat McAfee that Smith was not fond of Wilson changing play at the line of scrimmage. Advertisement 'Arthur Smith has to understand he has to let the quarterback have some rein,' Roethlisberger said. 'I was told he really pulled the reins back on Russ. In the two-minute drill, wouldn't let Russ call his own plays. You have to let a quarterback do that stuff.' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Russell Wilson Grateful for Time with Steelers: 'Pittsburgh Was a Good Place for Me' Related Headlines
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Aaron Rodgers Key to Steelers Avoiding Losing Season?
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game on Oct. 20, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Roethlisberger believes that the 2025 season will be the first losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin, if the team is unable to secure the services of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On the latest episode of his Footbahlin podcast on Tuesday, Roethlisberger predicted the Steelers' record with and without Rodgers, who remains a free agent with no update on when or if he might sign with the Steelers, just six days before the start of OTAs. With Rodgers in the fold, Roethlisberger sees the Steelers as an 11-6 team. But if the quarterbacking is left to current starter Mason Rudolph, Roethlisberger sees the Steelers finishing 7-10, for the team's first losing season with Tomlin at the helm. Advertisement But if the Steelers are able to sign Rodgers, as has been widely speculated, Roethlisberger sees them finishing in good shape at 11-6. 'HOF,' he said, referencing Rodgers' future as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. 'That'll get you a few more wins.' Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 3, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now A four-win difference between Rodgers and Rudolph is not crazy, though it should be noted that Rodgers went 6-12 as a starter over the last two seasons with the New York Jets, while Rudolph 4-4 eight starts between Pittsburgh in 2023 and the Tennessee Titans last season. Still, Pittsburgh's quarterback situation appears to be fairly dire if the team is unable to land Rodgers. Pro Football Focus placed Rudolph among the worst quarterbacks in the NFL current in a starting role earlier on Tuesday. Advertisement PFF suggested that the Steelers could start sixth-round rookie Will Howard instead of Rudolph, if they don't end up landing Rodgers. With OTAs starting on Tuesday, it's unclear how much longer the Steelers will be wiling to be patient with Rodgers, who has said that personal issues have kept him from making a decision about his future. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Is Aaron Rodgers Key to Steelers Avoiding Losing Season?
