Future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger is absolutely refusing to hit the panic button on young Steelers quarterback Will Howard, even after his two-turnover performance against the New York Jets. You know how it is: two preseason interceptions usually send the NFL media and fans into a total frenzy. But Big Ben? He broke down the film, explaining why Howard actually played way better than the box score ever showed.
It’s All About Context, Not Just the Picks!
Roethlisberger, a bona fide two-time Super Bowl champ, didn’t just bury Howard like everyone else seemed ready to do. Instead, on his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” he pointed to crucial things like schematic context, Howard’s pocket mobility, and the nitty-gritty of route-running nuances. “Because he turned the ball over twice. Like, okay, yeah, no one likes that,” Roethlisberger admitted. “Can’t turn the ball over once in the red zone. But he did a lot of really good things.” He even specifically highlighted the second interception, arguing that receiver Roman Wilson could have seriously helped his QB with a technique called stair-stepping. Ben broke it down: “As he’s coming across the field, put lean into him like you’re going vertical. That creates that safety or the corner, to then go vertical, too. And then you cut and you’ve created more separation.” See? It’s not just on the QB, folks! The details matter, and a legend like Big Ben saw them crystal clear.
Composure Under Pressure? Yeah, Howard’s Got That Gutsy Vibe
Beyond the turnovers, Roethlisberger was genuinely impressed by Howard’s composure and sheer aggressiveness. He loved how the young signal-caller was willing to stand tall, right in the pocket, under pressure. “He moved in the pocket well,” Roethlisberger noted. “It wasn’t like, he threw slants, right? He wasn’t throwing, let me throw a little out route. He threw some big balls down the middle, slid in the pocket, made some plays. I actually liked what I saw from Will.” That’s high praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about making clutch plays in the toughest spots. It means Howard isn’t afraid to rip it, and he’s already showing the kind of guts you need to make it big in this league.
So yeah, those interceptions will always sting, because you just cannot turn the ball over. “I get it, but I’m not going to jump on burying this guy because he threw two picks,” Roethlisberger declared, delivering his clear verdict. It’s a straight-up message for anyone trying to write off the young QB way too fast. Howard is probably going to see more preseason action when the Steelers face the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night for their final preseason game. Get ready to watch him sling it and prove Big Ben right.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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