The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the most obvious potential landing spots for a rookie quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, given the fact that Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson were the only QBs on the roster.
Pittsburgh finally brought in a rookie when it took Ohio State National Champion Will Howard with the ninth pick of the sixth round, and Jon Gruden recently made a shocking statement about Howard.
A clip surfaced on X of Gruden sitting with Howard during an episode of Gruden’s QB Class with Barstool Sports, and while breaking down tape with him, he wondered why Howard isn’t viewed as the No. 1 quarterback in the draft.
Gruden Says Will Howard is the #1 QB in this Draft 👀
pic.twitter.com/WDej2r6x6G— OgnBurgh (@scottiloss) April 27, 2025
Gruden was blown away by Howard’s running ability at 6’4″ and 236 pounds and compared him to Buffalo Bills MVP Josh Allen.
Howard was the eighth quarterback off the board and could compete for playing time this season unless the Steelers are simply waiting around for 4-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to sign with them, which is still in play.
Howard had an exceptional year in his lone campaign with Ohio State, throwing for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns en route to the championship.
He had 26 rushing touchdowns over his five years in college, including four that were 69 yards or longer while he was with Kansas State.
Everyone drafting a quarterback in the sixth round is hoping for the next Tom Brady, and Howard checks a lot of boxes of a potential sleeper given his size, athleticism, and proven experience leading two big programs in college.
Calling him the QB1 is a wild statement, but it will be interesting to see how he progresses now that he is in such a good landing spot.
