By bringing Aaron Rodgers on board, the Pittsburgh Steelers not only got a veteran who could be a solid starter but also secured a great mentor for someone like Will Howard. The Steelers, who are yet to find their franchise quarterback after the 2021 season, did place their bet on Howard this year’s draft, but HC Mike Tomlin is not too confident in the former Ohio State quarterback yet and believes he may need some more time and mentorship “He’s doing great, but again, we’re at the very beginning of it,” Tomlin said.

Howard, on the other hand, is focused on outworking everyone in the Pittsburgh quarterback room. “I may not be the most talented guy in the world all the time, but I’m going to outwork everybody,” Howard told Missi Matthews of Steelers.com a few weeks back. And with Aaron Rodgers coming to Steel City, Howard’s journey to become a starter does not seem to be going to be too long. Because if early signs are anything, it seems like the 23-year-old is not wasting any time to shake things up.

In one of his recent interviews, the former Buckeyes signal-caller revealed that Rodgers tries his best not to “overstep,” but the rookie QB wants to soak up all the learning from the legendary quarterback.

Amanda Godsey, a Steelers reporter, posted a snippet from Howard’s interview on X. It has barely been a week for Rodgers in Pittsburgh, and he has already been a great mentor to Howard. “When he says it, he’s like, ‘I don’t want to overstep,’ I’m like, ‘dude, you’re—please, please by all means, tell me whatever you think,’” the rookie QB said. For Howard, it wasn’t overstepping. Indeed, it was like snagging cheat codes from the big boss.

At 41 and on a savvy one-year, ~$13.6 million deal, Rodgers isn’t just whispering advice to Howard. He’s building chemistry with Metcalf and embedding himself in Pittsburgh’s fabric. He’s praised Howard’s “composure, intelligence” and knack for progressions—“Not too big for him.” Rodgers planted his flag: “I’m gonna be with him every single day in every single meeting… found my seat next to him….” It’s the same intentional mentorship he offered Jordan Love and Zach Wilson, passing down a cherished playbook. Howard has embraced it all-in: “It’s not a matter of what happens out on the field. It’s about getting better and learning. I go all in.”

Meanwhile, the minicamp itself pulsed with competitive energy. Calvin Austin III dazzled with unicorn versatility, Nick Herbig flashed as a potential TJ Watt understudy, and defensive backs like Elijah Riley and Luq Barcoo made highlight-reel plays. The only glaring absence was T.J. Watt, protesting his contract status and risking hefty fines. While the defense awaits its cornerstone, the offense, under Rodgers’s meticulous eye and Smith’s scheme, feels primed for a run worthy of Pittsburgh’s glory days.

Beyond the sideline whispers, this unexpected mentorship is a spark igniting a much larger fire.

Steelers’ SB window cracks open with Rodgers, Howard, Metcalf, and offensive reinvention

Sharp NFL mind Peter Schrager weighed in on Good Morning Football: “Very high on the Steelers the last few days. So high that today on Take, I suggested they could be Super Bowl contenders. I mean that.” He pointed to the franchise’s bold offseason choices: “They didn’t make these moves to just get to where they were the last few years, which is a nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon wild card game and then get bounced out of the playoffs.” They are definitely aiming for big things like the Lombardi Trophy.

Patience prevailed when Rodgers held off throwing until June—“They could have very easily done a half measure here. They could have signed another quarterback, or they could have gotten panicked.” Instead, Pittsburgh traded a draft pick and handed DK Metcalf a $30 million deal. “Those are not the moves of a team that’s rebuilding. That’s the moves of a team that sees things happening this year with a window.” Schrager said, “I think there is a great, great possibility that this Pittsburgh offense is a lot different and a lot better than many are expecting it to be,” predicting an offensive breakout under Arthur Smith.

This potent mix of old-school grit, embodied in Mike Tomlin’s iron-clad ‘The standard is the standard’—and new-school firepower has reignited the Steelers’ culture of excellence. As Jack Lambert once growled, ‘Individual commitment to a group effort…’ defines this franchise.

Can Pittsburgh vault back into the Super Bowl conversation? The proof will come under autumn lights—starting September 7th when Rodgers faces his old Jets turf and a Week 5 clash in Dublin against the Vikings. But right now, brick by brick in June practices, Rodgers isn’t just teaching Howard to read coverages. He’s revealing his depth of commitment and relentless will to win. In that quiet mentorship, Aaron Rodgers’ true colors—leader, teacher, relentless winner—are shining in Pittsburgh. That seventh Lombardi? It feels within reach.