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

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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.

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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.

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Las Vegas, NV – October 6, 2025 In a twist no one saw coming, the Las Vegas Raiders have reportedly made a massive offer to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, sending shockwaves through the NFL world and igniting one of the fiercest rivalries in football. Sources close to the situation say the Raiders’ front office reached out to Smith-Schuster with a deal that could’ve made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the AFC West — a bold move aimed directly at weakening their longtime division rivals. But if the Raiders thought money could buy loyalty, JuJu’s response just proved them wrong. “Honestly, an offer like that could make anyone waver,” Smith-Schuster said. “But wearing a Raiders jersey? I’d rather retire right now than play for them. I can’t betray the Chiefs — Arrowhead is where a boy became a man, where the joy of playing turned into responsibility to my teammates and our fans. As for the noise, let football answer it.” The fiery statement immediately set social media ablaze, with Chiefs fans rallying behind JuJu while Raiders supporters accused him of “overhyping the rivalry.” Even NFL insiders couldn’t hide their amazement. One league executive reportedly told ESPN, “You don’t see players turn down that kind of money often — but that’s how deep the Chiefs-Raiders feud runs.” As Kansas City gears up for another playoff push, JuJu’s loyalty has not only earned him the respect of teammates but also cemented his legacy as one of the true heartbeats of Arrowhead Stadium. ❤️💛 💥 One thing’s for sure:The Raiders may have tried to shake up the AFC West — but JuJu Smith-Schuster just reminded everyone why you don’t mess with Chiefs Kingdom. 🏈👑