The Steelers are at a crossroads, with veteran Aaron Rodgers in command and rookie Will Howard gaining attention—but still lacking a firm spotlight. At minicamp, the QB room pulses with questions: Will Howard earn enough trust to step into real snaps? In a year of transition, Pittsburgh is watching closely to see if Rodgers nurtures a future starter or if Howard steps up sooner than expected. Not to forget the safety net of the returning Mason Rudolph in the locker room.

We’ve seen this arc before. When Stefon Diggs praised a young Josh Allen in 2020 calling him the real deal and saying, “He really embraced me. I probably wouldn’t be right here if it wasn’t for him.” That moment helped cement confidence early in their partnership. Locker room words often predict on-field realities. Now, with Darnell Washington watching drills and sharing minutes, he’s the first non-QB voice to air outright thoughts—and those revelations say more than any stat.

In a candid moment at Steelers minicamp on Youtube, Darnell Washington didn’t hold back. When asked about a two-minute drill involving Howard, Darnell started with blunt honesty: “Oh, you talk about all that, okay. The defense gave us too high. I had the same read. Someone we was talking about yesterday. I also had it yesterday, but I didn’t do a good enough job as I did today.” It wasn’t frustration aimed at anyone else—just a rare moment of self-accountability from a young player demanding more of himself. But then he shifted into offense evaluation: explaining how Howard “split the middle,” made a timely throw, and improved from day one—suggesting their on-field understanding isn’t just forming; it’s delivering. 

That kind of connection can’t be overstated in an offense rebuilding trust. Washington’s developing route awareness meets Howard’s ability to read zone coverage. “Will’s a funny guy, I’m gonna say a young guy, he’s a young guy. He’s coming in here and competing against older guys and things like that”, Darnell said. “So, I just say, like, you just see his own talent improve, you just see his reach.” If they truly connect, the Steelers gain a tight end-WR-like spread weapon at TE, adding flexibility to both play-action and two-minute drills.

Add in Darnell’s praise of his own offensive coordinator’s trust—“it’s just different routes coming in slips”, and you get a glimpse into the evolving playbook and growing locker room chemistry. In a season where Rodgers may share plays with the rookie, Washington’s confidence says: Howard’s window might be opening sooner than late summer. In this evolving Steelers locker room, key voices are stepping up—and who speaks says just as much as what’s said about the rookie QB making waves.

Rodgers backs Will Howard—and Howard soaks it in

Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been silent about his role. As reported by The Standard on X, Rodgers shared support for Howard: “Will’s a good kid. Thought he looked good today… I’m gonna be with him every single day and every single meeting… I’m gonna help him out as much as I can.” That was followed up by Steelers Depot, noting that Rodgers is sitting next to Howard in meetings and offering pre-practice advice, quietly pulling him into elite QB routines. That should do a world of good for Howard, who recently said, “I may not be the most talented but I’m going to outwork everybody.” 

That grit and mentorship combo reflects Rodgers’ new QB-room blueprint. Rodgers isn’t just helping—he’s empowering. Howard revealed that Rodgers often says he doesn’t want to “overstep”—but Howard responds, “Tell me whatever you think.” The rookie explained, “When he says it, it’s not overstepping, snagging cheat codes from the big boss.” This hasn’t gone unnoticed. Steelers’ HC Mike Tomlin said, “He’s doing great… we’re at the very beginning.” Broadcasters like Peter Schrager opined Aaron Rodgers could trigger a Super Bowl contender offense, crediting Rodgers’ mentorship and leadership. 

Howard’s credentials extend far beyond hype. In last season’s championship run at Ohio State, he completed 73% of his passes, threw for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns, and earned CFP National Championship Game Offensive MVP honors. He also threw an efficient 96.3 deep‑pass PFF grade and hit 57.4% of his 20+ yard throws, ranking among the nation’s elite. For a rookie stepping into Steelers camp, those numbers aren’t form—they’re statements.

This offense now has two clear paths: Rodgers commanding every snap or gradually handing off trust to a rising Will Howard. If Washington’s early read holds true, Howard’s composure and chemistry with his teammates might fast-track his growth. Rodgers has pledged to mentor him every single day, actively laying the foundation for what’s next. So, the question now becomes—can this unexpected Rodgers–Howard combo quietly shape the Steelers’ next era?