Rookie quarterback Will Howard received a shot in the arm on Thursday after the Pittsburgh Steelers included him in the active roster for the rest of the season.
While Howard has yet to play a single snap, coming off the injured reserve must still feel good, as he now has the chance—no matter how slim it is—to make his debut.
Drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round out of Ohio State, the 24-year-old signal-caller said he continues to be a sponge in his first season. He also tipped his hat to star teammate Aaron Rodgers for guiding him even though he’s not playing.
“I’m able to just sit back and kind of—I literally have a Word document of the nuggets I get from Aaron every day,” said Howard in a video posted by 93.7 The Fan on X.
“If there’s something that he tells me or something he says in meetings, I’ll try to write it down. Just have a little bank of the things that I’m learning.”
With that conscientious attitude, Howard will only endear himself more to the 41-year-old Rodgers, who has always espoused the importance of paying attention to details.
With the way Rodgers has been playing, it’s safe to say that the Steelers’ quarterback rotation won’t change anytime soon. Howard will have to wait for his turn. Not to mention that he’s still third in the depth chart behind Rodgers and veteran backup Mason Rudolph.
Pittsburgh, currently owning a 5-4 record, will take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Robert Irwin reacts to the growing wave of fans who passionately ship him with Xochitl Gomez after “Dancing with the Stars” 20th Anniversary Birthday Celebration. As their partnership continues to captivate viewers, Irwin was asked on video by TMZ about whether the fan-favored pairing could exist off the dance floor. Instead of shutting down the ship, he leaned into the excitement with warm praise and playful evasiveness, which only encouraged fans to keep rooting for the duo.
When Irwin arrived for rehearsal in Los Angeles, photographers immediately brought up the fan movement that celebrates him and Gomez as a potential couple. Fans have filled social media with edits, commentary threads, and reactions to their heartfelt partnership. When asked whether anything romantic existed between them, Irwin responded with a bright smile and highlighted their strong creative connection instead.
He said he and Gomez “had the best time” working on their recent dances and described one routine as soft and emotional and the other as upbeat, joyful, and full of energy. Irwin carefully avoided giving a clear answer about their off-camera relationship. By choosing not to deny the ship outright, he kept the conversation alive and gave fans even more reason to believe their chemistry extends beyond performance.
The shipping movement grew even stronger after Irwin and Gomez delivered a standout Dance Relay routine on “Dancing with the Stars.” Fans pointed to that specific performance as the moment their connection became impossible to ignore. The routine showcased their natural ease, synchronized movements, and expressive storytelling. That jive created a spark that viewers immediately latched onto and celebrated across social platforms.
Coverage noted that fans already shipped them after that performance, and Irwin’s recent comments tied directly back to that moment. When he described how much fun they had during both dances, he acknowledged the energy fans saw onstage. His decision to focus on the joy of the performance rather than deny the ship kept viewers invested. The Dance Relay cemented their dynamic in the eyes of fans, and Irwin’s reaction only strengthened the narrative
Even with the growing attention, Irwin continues to prioritize the competition and keeps his focus locked on winning the Mirrorball trophy. He approaches rehearsals with discipline, praises Gomez’s talent and work ethic, and stays committed to delivering powerful performances each week. His dedication shows that he values the partnership for its artistic strength while fully embracing the fun that comes with fan excitement.
Gomez meets his commitment with equal drive and creativity. Their shared energy, humor, and support for each other fuel their on-camera magic. Fans see that natural connection and push the ship with enthusiasm, especially when neither star denies the possibility of something deeper. Their genuine camaraderie keeps viewers invested, and every rehearsal clip and live routine gives the fandom even more to talk about.