'Letters from Camp' Q&A: Steelers QB coach Tom Arth on coaching Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard behind the scenes

Today’s Bella Construction “Letters From Camp” conversation from Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is with quarterbacks coach Tom Arth. 

The Cleveland native was a teammate of Aaron Rodgers in 2006. Now he is coaching him in Pittsburgh nearly two decades later.

During Monday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast, I asked Arth about the extent of his relationship with Rodgers, how Rodgers is catching up with the offense after missing OTAs, his timing with DK Metcalf, the rest of the QB room, and Will Howard’s development.

• What’s it like coaching Aaron Rodgers after being his teammate 19 years ago?: “It’s been awesome. We’re having a lot of fun,” Arth said. “I’m learning a lot. I think the group of quarterbacks in the room is learning a lot from having Aaron here. He’s just an exceptional player. He brings so much to our team from a leadership standpoint, from an experience standpoint. What can we all learn from him? It’s been pretty special for us to have that opportunity.”

• How about you coaching him? Given his resume and experience, are you doing more teaching? Or are you doing more observing and reporting back to him?: “Whatever is needed in the moment,” Arth replied. “I think there’s probably not going to be a whole lot that I’m going to show Aaron on tape that he hasn’t seen before, or things that he hasn’t heard. But my job is to help prepare him as well as I can so that he can go out there and play his best. That’s the bottom line.”

• Has there been any noticeable lag with Rodgers since he didn’t show up in Pittsburgh until early June?: “I don’t think so,” Arth replied. “As you go through this, it’s a process. You’re building every single day, and you’re improving every single day. Everybody is working together to get on the same page. (That) is really what we’re trying to do.

• How is the chemistry building between Rodgers and DK Metcalf so far?: “It’s been awesome. Those two have known each other and spent a lot of time together this summer. They’re roommates here. They spend a lot of time together. That’s what Aaron brings — that level of communication,” Arth said. “He wants them to understand how he sees it, how he sees the game, and what he’s expecting in certain routes and things along those lines. I think it’s been really beneficial for all our guys.”

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• What have you learned about the other three QBs (Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson)?: “It’s a really great group, all very receptive to coaching. You have guys at different stages of their careers. You look at Mason and Skylar. Both have started a number of games in the NFL. Will is just coming into it. For a young player, being able to have that type of lens, to be able to see from Mason’s point of view, (and) Skylar’s point of view. Then seeing Aaron’s perspective is really unique for Will — and for those other guys — to be able to be around Aaron.

• Howard doesn’t come off as a rookie just getting his feet wet. Is that just a visage or a veneer? Or is it who he really is?: “That’s the guy you’re getting to know, and that’s what we love about Will. That’s why we wanted him to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Arth confirmed. “Will’s personal character is off the charts. He’s an incredible person. His football character is also off the charts. He’s a very smart player, a very confident player. He relates really well to his teammates, and the moment is never too big for him. He has the ability to just step in and be himself and go out there and execute.

“What I love about Will is (that) he plays the game so well from the pocket. He sees it,” Arth continued. “Moves really well in the pocket. He’s a very accurate passer. Those qualities typically lead to very successful careers.”

Listen: Tim Benz and QBs coach Tom Arth talk about Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson