Will Howard took pay cut to go from Ohio State to Steelers

TL;DR

Will Howard is earning less with the Pittsburgh Steelers than he did at Ohio State, where his NIL deal included a Ford Bronco and seven-figure earnings. His current NFL contract is approximately $1.1 million per year.

Key points

Will Howard was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
He is making less money with the Steelers than he did at Ohio State.
Howard's NIL deal included a Ford Bronco and seven-figure earnings.
His current NFL contract is approximately $1.1 million per year.
Other rookies like Riley Leonard are experiencing similar pay cuts.

Ohio StateNotre DameWill HowardPittsburgh Steelers

DETROIT,MICHIGAN-December21: Quarterback Will Howard (18) of the Pittsburgh Steelers tosses the ball during warmups ahead of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Will Howard got to live the dream of every college prospect last April when he heard his name called by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. What likely wasn’t in his dream, though, was making less money than he did in college. In a recent piece for *The Athletic,* Howard told David Ubben that he is making less money with the Steelers than he did at Ohio State. Howard told Ubben that his NIL deal included a Ford Bronco, an apartment, and money that was in the seven-figures. Howard’s current deal with the Steelers pays him roughly $1.1 million per year. Howard wasn’t the only 2025 rookie to make this claim. Riley Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts said that he is making less money with the Colts than he did at Notre Dame. Since the NIL era began, top college stars have been able to make millions of dollars, which is a very good thing and long overdue. It is crazy, however, that when they reach the pinnacle of their chosen profession, many of them are taking initial pay cuts to go from college football to the NFL. ***Let us know what you think in the comments***. ***Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!***

Q&A

How much is Will Howard's current salary with the Steelers?

Will Howard's current salary with the Pittsburgh Steelers is approximately $1.1 million per year.

What benefits did Will Howard receive from his NIL deal at Ohio State?

Will Howard's NIL deal at Ohio State included a Ford Bronco, an apartment, and earnings in the seven-figure range.

Are other NFL rookies also making less money than in college?

Yes, other NFL rookies like Riley Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts have also reported making less money in the NFL compared to their college earnings.