Former Steelers QB Gives Blunt Advice to Will Howard

Charlie Batch tells Steelers' young QB to 'prove this is your job'

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:10pm

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch had a blunt message for current Steelers QB Will Howard during a recent podcast appearance. Batch told Howard, a sixth-round draft pick in 2025, that he needs to 'prove this is your job' and 'go out there and take it' as he competes for the starting role. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence in Howard's potential, but acknowledged the young QB needs to improve his pocket presence and footwork to succeed at the NFL level.

Why it matters

With uncertainty around Aaron Rodgers' future with the Steelers, Howard could be in line to start in 2026 if Rodgers doesn't sign with the team. Batch's blunt advice highlights the pressure on the young QB to prove he can be the long-term answer at the position for Pittsburgh.

The details

Howard, a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State in 2025, had a quiet rookie season, suiting up for just one game without taking a single snap. He sustained a fractured right (throwing) hand pinky finger early in training camp, causing him to miss the entire preseason and start the year on injured reserve. McCarthy has praised Howard's potential, saying he would have been drafted higher than the sixth round if he was the one making the picks. However, the Steelers coach acknowledged Howard needs to improve his pocket presence and footwork to succeed at the NFL level.

  • Howard was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
  • Howard missed his entire rookie season in 2025 due to a hand injury sustained in training camp.
  • Batch's comments came during a recent episode of The Snap Count podcast.

The players

Charlie Batch

A former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who played in the NFL from 1998 to 2012.

Will Howard

A second-year quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, drafted in the sixth round out of Ohio State in 2025.

Mike McCarthy

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has expressed confidence in Howard's potential as the team's future starting quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers

The veteran quarterback who is rumored to be considering signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What they’re saying

“'Prove that this is your job. Go out there and take it,'”

— Charlie Batch, Former Steelers quarterback

“'People get caught up on what round he went in, but if I was drafting players that year, he wouldn't have been around in the fifth or sixth round. I valued him higher than that based off Kansas State. I just thought he just jumped out of the TV set during the College Playoffs (at Ohio State). I mean, what is there not to like about the guy? I think he's definitely a real prospect as a starting quarterback. I believed that when he came out.'”

— Mike McCarthy, Steelers head coach

“'The biggest thing with Will, and it's probably consistent with young quarterbacks, you got to win from the pocket. At the end of the day, nine or 10 games a year are going to come down to the two-minute drill. That's what the stats tell you. That's the way we train. So his ability to win from the pocket because I think he has everything else.'”

— Mike McCarthy, Steelers head coach

What’s next

The Steelers will continue to work with Howard throughout the offseason to develop his pocket presence and footwork, with the goal of him potentially becoming the team's starting quarterback in 2026 if Aaron Rodgers does not sign with the team.

The takeaway

This story highlights the high expectations and pressure on young Steelers quarterback Will Howard to prove he can be the team's long-term answer at the position. While the coaching staff believes in his potential, Howard must show significant improvement in key areas to earn the starting job, especially if the Steelers are unable to sign veteran Aaron Rodgers.