Why Big Ben Working With Will Howard Could Shape the Steelers’ Future at Quarterback
The idea sounds simple, almost obvious — but its potential impact is enormous. If the Pittsburgh Steelers are serious about developing Will Howard into a legitimate NFL quarterback, there may be no better mentor than Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben isn’t just a franchise legend. He’s a walking blueprint for how to survive, adapt, and win in one of the most unforgiving positions in professional sports.
Howard has the tools. What he needs now is refinement — and perspective.
Howard’s physical traits jump off the screen. He has size, arm strength, and the confidence to stand tall in the pocket. He’s not afraid to take hits, extend plays, or challenge tight windows. Those qualities are exactly what made Roethlisberger a nightmare for defenses for nearly two decades. But raw talent alone doesn’t translate in the NFL. The difference between college success and professional longevity is often mental — and that’s where Big Ben’s influence could be transformative.
Roethlisberger understands what young quarterbacks face better than almost anyone. He entered the league with enormous expectations, learned on the fly, and won early. But he also evolved — changing his mechanics, learning when to take risks, and discovering how to manage games when his body couldn’t do what it once did. Those lessons aren’t found in playbooks. They’re earned through years of pressure, pain, and film study.
For Howard, that knowledge could be priceless.
One of the biggest challenges for young quarterbacks is learning how to slow the game down. NFL defenses disguise coverages, bait throws, and exploit hesitation. Roethlisberger built a Hall of Fame career by diagnosing defenses pre-snap, manipulating safeties with his eyes, and knowing exactly when to trust his instincts — and when to live for the next down. Teaching Howard how to read defenses the “Ben way” could fast-track his development in ways coaching staffs alone can’t.
There’s also the Steelers-specific element.
Pittsburgh is not an easy market for quarterbacks. Expectations are sky-high. Patience is thin. Every throw is analyzed, every mistake magnified. Roethlisberger lived that reality for 18 seasons. He understands how to handle criticism, tune out noise, and lead a locker room filled with veterans who expect results. Howard will need that emotional armor just as much as arm talent.
Beyond mechanics and mental processing, there’s the art of toughness — something Roethlisberger embodied better than almost anyone in NFL history. Big Ben wasn’t just tough physically. He was tough situationally. He knew how to extend plays without forcing disaster, how to absorb hits while keeping his eyes downfield, and how to rally teammates when games turned ugly. That balance between grit and restraint is incredibly hard to teach — but much easier to learn from someone who mastered it.
Critics might argue that the league has changed, that today’s quarterbacks rely more on mobility and quick releases than brute strength. But that doesn’t diminish Roethlisberger’s value as a mentor. If anything, it strengthens it. He adapted across eras — from backyard football to spread concepts, from vertical passing to quick-game efficiency. He knows what evolution looks like firsthand.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t about turning Howard into the next Big Ben. That’s unrealistic and unfair. It’s about giving him access to one of the sharpest quarterback minds the franchise has ever had — someone who understands Pittsburgh’s DNA and what it takes to succeed there.
From the Steelers’ perspective, the upside is obvious. If Howard develops, the franchise stabilizes the most important position in football. If he doesn’t, at least they’ll know they gave him every possible resource. Roethlisberger’s involvement wouldn’t undermine coaches or systems — it would complement them, adding context and real-world experience no playbook can replicate.
Fans would embrace it too. Seeing Big Ben invest in the next generation would symbolize continuity — a passing of the torch rooted in accountability and excellence. It would also send a message to Howard: the organization believes in you enough to connect you with its greatest quarterback ever.
In today’s NFL, development windows are shrinking. Quarterbacks are judged faster, benched quicker, and labeled earlier than ever before. That makes mentorship more important — not less.
If Will Howard is going to make the leap, guidance matters. And if Big Ben is willing to help shape that journey, the Steelers would be wise to make it happen.
Sometimes the best move forward is learning directly from the past.
👉 Should Big Ben play an active role in mentoring the Steelers’ next QB? Let us know your take in the comments.
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