The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to enter the 2025 NFL season with Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. Behind him, they have both Will Howard and Mason Rudolph to round out the quarterback room.
While many believe that Rodgers will give the Steelers a chance to compete for a Super Bowl run, there are others who do not believe that to be the case.
In fact, there are some who aren't sure Pittsburgh will stick with Rodgers as its starter for the entire season.
One of those doubters happens to be former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum. He has spoken out with his belief that Rodgers will be replaced as the starter by the start of December.
In a recent appearance on ESPN's "Get Up," Tannenbaum revealed his opinion that Howard will be the team's starting quarterback by December 1.
"Will Howard will be starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers by December 1," Tannenbaum said. "When you have a 42-year-old quarterback [Rodgers], no offseason program, an offensive line that should, in fairness, be better because Troy Fautanu is coming back. I think Will Howard has a meaningful chance to be the quarterback of the future and Mike Tomlin will play the best players. By the time we get to December, watch what happens."
Howard was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He was fresh off of leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national championship win last season.
During his senior season with the Buckeyes, Howard completed 73.1 percent of his pass attempts for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also flashed his ability to make plays on the ground with 226 yards and seven touchdowns.
Becoming a starter for Pittsburgh as a rookie would be a major shock. Taking over the job midseason from Rodgers would be a massive win for the first-year signal caller.
Obviously, this is just an opinion and a bold prediction. Rodgers could just as easily put together a dominant season with the Steelers and never allow any doubt that he's the rightful starter in Pittsburgh. Tannenbaum simply doesn't see that happening.
It will be interesting to see what the 2025 season has in store for the Steelers. Howard has a lot of talent and potential to the future, but if this prediction comes true he'll become the new starting quarterback for one of the most stories NFL franchises as a rookie.
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