Steelers OC Arthur Smith shares the nickname that rookie quarterback Will Howard had before returning from injury this week
A good omen for Will Howard’s future.
Will Howard was the talk of the spring and summer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The sixth round rookie quarterbacked the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes before diving headfirst into the Steelers’ culture.
The hype and the anticipation to see Howard play only grew as camp went on, but just when it got close for Howard to make his debut in the preseason, he suffered a hand injury that not only kept him out of the preseason but still has him on the injured reserve despite his return to practice this week.
But Howard didn’t let that idle time go to waste. He went to work and received a nickname from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith that he should be proud of.
Will Howard given “Coach Will” nickname while on injured reserve
“It’s been like having another quality control [coach] around the building. [We] call him Coach Will. Now he’s back to being player Will,” said Steelers OC Arthur Smith regarding the return of Howard to practice this week.
Let’s be real here. Barring an utter collapse or catastrophic injury to Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard isn’t touching the field in 2025. But that was never going to be the case. The plan was to see what Howard could show in the preseason and let him use the year to grow and develop mentally under Rodgers and Mason Rudolph.
He’s obviously taken advantage of the mental reps despite the injury, but returning to the field is arguably more important for his development. There is no experience like live, in-game reps, especially during the regular season.
But to take what you learn in the meeting room and put it into practice will be huge for Howard. That’s where he can make throws, (both good and bad) and have Rodgers and Rudolph pull him to the side and say, ‘Hey this is what you should do the next time the safety inserts here, or the LB drops there.’
To have someone with the knowledge, experience, and pedigree of Aaron Rodgers in your quarterback room is an invaluable tool in Howard’s development. From coach Will to player Will, time will tell how Howard develops in Pittsburgh.
But if we are to believe the reports from this week, there is a chance that Rodgers and the Steelers run it back in 2026.
Another year under the tutelage of a future Hall of Famer never hurt anyone though. Just ask Rodgers and the quarterback the Steelers play this weekend, Jordan Love.
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