In the world of the National Football League, few lessons are repeated as often as this one: draft position does not always predict greatness.

History has proven that some of the league’s most remarkable success stories began with players who were overlooked during the draft.

Two names frequently appear in that conversation — Tom Brady and Brock Purdy.

Brady, who eventually became one of the most decorated players in football history, was selected in the sixth round of the draft.

At the time, few analysts believed he would one day transform the New England Patriots into a dynasty and redefine the modern quarterback position.

Similarly, Purdy entered the NFL as the final pick in the draft — a selection commonly referred to as “Mr. Irrelevant.”

Yet he quickly proved that labels can be misleading.

His rapid rise with the San Francisco 49ers demonstrated that opportunity, preparation, and confidence can sometimes outweigh the expectations set on draft day.

Because of stories like these, NFL fans are always eager to identify the next unexpected star.

Recently, that conversation has begun to include Will Howard, a young quarterback drawing attention from supporters of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Howard’s development has sparked curiosity among fans who believe the team may have discovered a player capable of surprising the league.

Some observers see qualities in his style of play that remind them of two well-known quarterbacks.

First is Ben Roethlisberger, the legendary Steelers quarterback who led the franchise for nearly two decades.

Roethlisberger built his reputation on toughness, resilience in the pocket, and the ability to extend plays even when defenses appeared to have him contained.

Those traits became part of the Steelers’ identity for many years.

Fans who have watched Howard closely believe they see glimpses of that same durability and physical presence.

At the same time, some analysts compare aspects of Howard’s arm strength and athletic potential to Josh Allen, the star quarterback of the Buffalo Bills.

Allen is widely recognized for his powerful throwing ability and aggressive playmaking style.

Quarterbacks with that type of skill set often possess the ability to stretch defenses and create explosive offensive plays.

Of course, comparisons to established stars can be risky.

Young quarterbacks frequently face enormous expectations long before they have fully developed their skills at the professional level.

Steelers fans know this reality all too well.

Not long ago, there was widespread excitement surrounding Kenny Pickett, who many hoped would become the long-term answer at quarterback in Pittsburgh.

Pickett entered the league with strong college credentials and the support of a passionate fan base.

However, the transition from college football to the NFL can be challenging even for highly regarded prospects.

Quarterback development often depends on multiple factors, including coaching systems, team chemistry, and the ability to adapt to faster defensive schemes.

For that reason, some fans remain cautious about projecting future success for any young quarterback.

Still, optimism continues to grow among supporters who believe Will Howard deserves an opportunity to prove himself.

They argue that every successful quarterback story begins with someone willing to take a chance.

After all, if teams had relied entirely on draft rankings, Tom Brady might never have received the opportunity that launched his historic career.

And if the San Francisco 49ers had dismissed their final draft pick too quickly, Brock Purdy might never have emerged as one of the league’s most surprising success stories.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the coming seasons could provide the opportunity to discover whether Howard possesses the qualities needed to succeed in the NFL.

Developing a franchise quarterback is one of the most difficult challenges for any organization.

It requires patience, strong leadership, and the willingness to allow young players time to grow.

Fans, meanwhile, continue to debate the possibilities.

Some see genuine potential and believe Howard could become the next example of an overlooked player exceeding expectations.

Others prefer to wait for consistent performances before embracing such optimism.

That tension between hope and skepticism is part of what makes the NFL so compelling.

And as conversations about Will Howard continue to spread among Steelers supporters, one question remains at the center of the debate:

Could Will Howard truly become Pittsburgh’s next unexpected quarterback success story — or will he simply become another name in the long list of promising prospects who never quite reached the level fans imagined?