Rookie Will Howard embraces Pittsburgh’s QB scrutiny — and its pronunciation of his last name

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard has heard it in casual conversation. He’s heard it from fans on the hill at Saint Vincent College. He has even come across it on social media.

The pronunciation of his last name in Pittsburghese.

“I think it’s pretty funny. The first time I heard that, I think it was ‘Pittsburgh Dad’ on Instagram,” Howard said. “H-a-h-e-r-d. Haherd.”

He has heard it a lot. Most sixth-round rookies don’t get their names mentioned very much at all. However, when you are a quarterback coming off a national championship season, it’s a little different.

After all, a QB from a Big Ten school drafted in the sixth round? That pretty much automatically means he has to be the next Tom Brady, n’at? Doesn’t it?

“It’s been a great reception. I couldn’t ask for much more,” Howard said of his arrival in Pittsburgh. “But I haven’t really proved anything yet. I’ve still got a lot to show on the field. And I’m excited to do that.”

Howard also understands how the proximity of his hometown (Downingtown, Pa.) and his alma mater (Ohio State) plays into how much attention he seems to be getting at training camp.

“The red sticks out like a sore thumb. That’s for sure,” Howard said of Buckeye fans who have appeared in the daily sea of black and gold at Saint Vincent.

That’s happened frequently, as OSU fans have often been seen at Saint Vincent during this training camp to support Howard and fellow rookie Jack Sawyer. But Howard understands that just because he’s got a recognizable — and now very phonically distinctive — last name, that doesn’t mean that he has been guaranteed anything.

“I’m just trying to get better every day, no matter how many reps I get,” Howard said. “I can’t control that. I just go out there and try to do what I can with what I’ve got and make the best of it.

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In terms of how Howard has played so far in Latrobe, his enthusiasm is palpable. He looks like he belongs, and the stage isn’t too big. As would be the case with any rookie QB, he’s had some good throws and some bad ones.

But his intangibles stood out to the Steelers when Howard was still on the board during the third day of the NFL Draft.

“I just look at his resume. The way he’s wired,” offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said after Howard was picked. “Stepping into that role at Ohio State and winning a national championship. … He takes some of the guesswork (away) about his mental toughness.”

Howard’s attitude and attentiveness have impressed starting QB Aaron Rodgers.

“I just like his approach. He’s a good kid. He cares about it. He works hard. He listens. He’s a good note-taker. He’s been picking my brain,” Rodgers said of Howard early in camp. “I’m looking forward to growing that friendship. He has all the ability and the talent. When his time comes, I think he’s going to have a great chance to be a long-term guy in the league.”

Some of the presumptive hype from Steelers fans about Howard has been excessive. That’s how it goes with quarterbacks in Pittsburgh.

That said, getting that kind of an endorsement from a future Hall of Famer like Rodgers is significant.

I mean, not Pittsburgh Dad-level significant. But not bad.

Listen: Tim Benz recaps Thursday’s Steelers practice and talks with Arthur Smith and Will “Haherd”