One thing Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy made clear is that he’s excited to work with QB Will Howard. He mentioned Howard during his introductory press conference, and he mentioned Howard again when he sat down for his first one-on-one interview as the Steelers’ head coach.
What McCarthy hadn’t mentioned all that much was why. Will Howard didn’t get to play during his rookie season. Heck, he didn’t get to play in the preseason thanks to an injury he suffered in training camp. So why does McCarthy want to work with Howard? Is it just lip service? No. It goes back to Howard’s college tape at Kansas State and Ohio State.
“I love the way he plays the game,” McCarthy said Friday during a one-on-one interview with Bob Pompeani on KDKA. “Definitely flashed during his time at K-State, and just the run that they went on as a team at Ohio State. He obviously played his best at the most important time of the season. And that’s something that you pay attention to, ’cause this is about winning playoff games and winning championships.
“I think you can always elevate a guy as they move throughout the regular season and so forth. But the fact that he has that experience and he’s done it, that’s great to have. That’s a great asset to carry forward.”
Will Howard didn’t start his college career at the most glamorous of spots. He spent four years playing for Kansas State and appeared in 34 games. He may not have lit the college world on fire, only completing 58.8 percent of his passes. However, he threw for 48 touchdowns and ran for 19 more. It was difficult there, alternating with other quarterbacks, including former Steelers QB Skylar Thompson.
Then Howard transferred to Ohio State for his final season. That’s when he demonstrated a knack for playing his best when it mattered most. Two of his three 300-plus yard passing games came during the College Football Playoff. In one of those two games, he avenged a heartbreaking loss to Oregon by throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. In the national championship, he completed 81 percent of his passes and threw two touchdowns with no interceptions.
That grit, determination and mentality caught Mike McCarthy’s eye. After all, everything in the NFL prior to the playoffs is about making the playoffs. Once a team is in the postseason, everything is about making the Super Bowl and winning it. Yes, some people are more concerned about making money or becoming famous. However, at its core, the game of football is about getting to the playoffs and winning Super Bowls.
Will Howard overcame adversity and rose to the occasion to help the Buckeyes win a national title. If Howard can rise to the occasion in the NFL as he did at Ohio State, maybe he’s the quarterback to help get the Steelers break their playoff slump. It’s up to Mike McCarthy to shape Howard and help him grow.