Logo

Steelers’ Will Howard Breaks Silence on IR Stint: ‘I Gotta Trust the Process’

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to place rookie quarterback Will Howard on injured reserve before the start of the 2025 season drew plenty of attention. Some analysts, like Mark Kaboly, even warned the move could turn into a “lost year” for the young signal-caller.

Article image

But Howard isn’t buying that narrative.

Speaking on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show, the rookie QB opened up about his mindset after suffering a broken pinky on August 5 that sidelined him for the entire preseason. Instead of frustration, Howard is focusing on the long-term picture:

“I think all along I was looking at this season as a developmental year. Obviously, you don’t bring in Aaron Rodgers for no reason—he’s here to lead this team. For me, it’s about learning everything I can from him, watching the way he goes about his business, and growing from that.”

Howard admitted the injury was disappointing, but emphasized that the setback doesn’t change his plan for 2025. With Rodgers in Pittsburgh, he was never expected to start Week 1 anyway. His goal now is to absorb as much knowledge as possible from a future Hall of Famer while preparing himself for the years ahead.

“I gotta trust it and understand that this is all part of my development. In the long run, I just gotta keep working. Use this year as a developmental year.” – Will Howard

Despite missing the preseason, Howard had already impressed during early training camp sessions with his poise and arm strength. Fans were buzzing about his potential before the injury, and the Steelers still believe he can grow even from the sidelines.

Kaboly, however, remains skeptical:

“Will Howard needs reps, plain and simple. If he doesn’t get them, you risk wasting a year of development.”

The earliest Howard can return from IR is after Week 4, but even then, Mason Rudolph is slotted as the backup to Rodgers and Skylar Thompson is in the mix at QB3. That likely means Howard’s rookie year will be spent mostly watching, studying, and waiting.

For the rookie, though, that’s not a problem. Instead of dwelling on what he’s lost, Howard is embracing the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation.

Comments (0)

Loading comments...

Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!