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Steelers QB Will Howard Praises Robert Woods After His Retirement at Age 33
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- Steelers QB Will Howard Praises Robert Woods After His Retirement at Age 33
Will Howard watched on as Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers just squeaked their way into the NFL playoffs , finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record and the AFC North title. But the Steelers' postseason run didn't last long, losing in the wild card to C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans .
Howard was selected by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft but spent his rookie year backing up Rodgers and Mason Rudolph , not appearing in a single game. The former Ohio State quarterback sat back as Rodgers, 42, completed his 21st NFL season and first with the Steelers. And while Rodgers continues to contemplate retirement this offseason, another NFL star has already announced his.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard warms up.© Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Robert Woods , after a college career with USC, was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The wide receiver spent the majority of his career with the Bills and Los Angeles Rams , totaling 683 catches for 8,233 yards and 38 touchdowns during his 13-year career, although he did not play a single game in 2025. Woods even won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams alongside Matthew Stafford .
After bouncing around the NFL since 2022, Woods landed with the Steelers in 2025 but did not last long into the regular season. And on Tuesday, Woods decided it was time to hang up his cleats, retiring at age 33.
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"After 27 unforgettable years of pouring my heart into this game, and 13 incredible years in the NFL — it's time for me to step away from playing the sport that has given me everything," Woods wrote on Instagram. "Football has never just been a game to me — it has been my passion, my purpose, and my lifelong dream. I cherished every moment my cleats touched the grass. Every time I stepped onto the field, I was determined to leave a piece of myself in every snap."
Howard was quick to take notice of his former teammate's retirement, sending a message to Woods in the comments: "Well deserved bro 🤙🏼."
While Howard hopes to move up the Steelers' depth chart in 2026, the NFL world will continue to wait as Rodgers, whose contract with Pittsburgh has expired, makes his own retirement decision.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
