Will Howard Drafted by Steelers, Compared to Josh Allen by Jon Gruden
A team competing with the Buffalo Bills has just selected a quarterback that some are calling “the next Josh Allen.”
Former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden, now working with Barstool Sports, recently sat down with Ohio State quarterback Will Howard for a segment similar to his well-known “QB Camp” series. Gruden praised Howard’s style of play, even drawing comparisons to Buffalo’s MVP quarterback, Josh Allen.
“You’re a big, dual-threat quarterback, aren’t you?” Gruden told Howard. “That’s the MVP of the league. He’s a real big dual threat. How the (heck) do people not like you as the No. 1 quarterback in the draft? You’re like a young Josh Allen.”
Despite the high praise, Howard wasn’t selected until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, taken 185th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers. For context, even Shedeur Sanders, another highly discussed QB, was drafted earlier—going in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns.
Josh Allen, who was a first-round pick in 2018, recently earned MVP honors after throwing 28 touchdowns to just six interceptions, along with 12 rushing touchdowns and 500 rushing yards, leading the Bills to their fifth consecutive AFC East title.
Howard, meanwhile, had an impressive college season, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns while guiding Ohio State to its first national championship in nearly ten years.
Gruden was enthusiastic about Howard’s future, posting a message after the draft: “Congratulations on becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler, Will! Have a beer to celebrate then get to work!”
