Steelers Rookie Will Howard Proud to Be Mentored by Aaron Rodgers: "He's Been So Awesome to Me"

Upon signing in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers noted that he was looking forward to helping mentor Will Howard. The rookie looks forward to being a sponge.

Howard told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week that Rodgers has been everything he'd hoped for in an NFL guru.

"He's been so awesome to me so far," said Howard, via CBS Sports. "Obviously, we've only gotten to be together for about three days, but I got a really good feeling about him, about this whole QB room. I think we already, in this past week, meshed really well, hit it off. I think we got a good vibe, good group. Aaron has been so willing to help me. He's like, 'Literally, as much or as little as you want me to help you, I'll be there.'

"He's already given me tips, little things here and there in the meeting room, on the field, in my drops, different little things. Obviously, I can't do the things that he can do mechanically, so I don't want to replicate that too much because that's pretty unique. But for the most part, everything I can learn from that guy is invaluable."

Rodgers hasn't been shy about his willingness to mentor younger players. He did so with Jordan Love in Green Bay and said all the right things about Zach Wilson in New York.

The four-time MVP signed his deal in Pittsburgh in time for last week's minicamp, where he slid next to Howard during meeting sessions.

"I had an open seat next to me, and there came Aaron," Howard said. "I just thought it was pretty cool that he was willing to sit next to me. I remember even Day 1, he had a couple of things that we hadn't really gone over yet … a couple of things he was asking me for clarification on. I'm like, 'Holy s---, man. Aaron Rodgers is asking me questions right now, and I'm answering them. What is going on?' "

What's going on is that the sixth-round pick is getting a first-class football education from a four-time NFL MVP and surefire Hall of Famer. Those opportunities are rare, and Howard is smart to soak up as much in one year as he can in hopes of elevating his own career.