**PITTSBURGH --** [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/) rookie quarterback [Will Howard](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2025/05/new-steelers-qb-will-howard-explains-why-pittsburgh-is-perfect-spot-for-him.html) admits his first OTA practice with the team was rough.
Howard details that day on Thursday. He says his game has already started to slow down, and he believes he is improving fast.
“First day was a work in progress, and I defiantly didn’t feel great about my first day coming off the field, but it was a good learning experience for me,” Howard said. “I wasn’t expecting to be perfect on my first day. but that’s the thing, you’ve got to learn. Especially with me being young, you have to know how to roll with the punches and know you’re going to make some mistakes. I wasn’t really comfortable yet, didn’t really know where my feet were. My timing was off. But that’s a learning experience and I’ve learned. On Day 2 and Day 3 I’ve been a lot better.”
The 6-foot-4 quarterback expected to be drafted somewhere; he just wasn’t sure where. With that said, throughout the draft, there was one place in particular he was hoping to land.
“As the draft went on, you never know where you’re going to end up, but you keep a little spot in your heart for where you really wanna go, and I had a little soft spot for Pittsburgh,” Howard said. “I was hoping in my heart that they picked me.”
He did land in Pittsburgh, and a lot of that was because of the coaching staff, whom Howard reiterated on Thursday are helping him grow quickly.
Howard transferred into Columbus from Kansas State, where he was a multiple-year starter and team captain. During his season, the Buckeyes were an up-and-down offense, but became an elite unit once Howard’s play took a significant leap in the College Football Playoff.
This season, Howard threw for 4010 passing yards, a career-high. With that, he posted a 73 percent completion percentage, another career-high mark. Howard had 35 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.