The biggest question the Pittsburgh Steelers need to answer this offseason is who will be their starting quarterback in 2026. Will Aaron Rodgers return for a second season in Pittsburgh? That’s what Terry Bradshaw says he heard. Or will it be Will Howard, the second-year quarterback?

After all, head coach Mike McCarthy has done nothing but praise Howard. So, perhaps the Steelers and McCarthy will build around their young quarterback for 2026? Not so fast, says beat writer Ray Fittipaldo.

“He’s never played an NFL game of any kind. Not regular season. Not even preseason because he was injured in the summer,” Fittipaldo wrote Tuesday in his weekly chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m all for making him the backup, but they won’t go into the season with Howard as their starter unless there is an injury.”

The last time we saw Will Howard in a game he threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns to lead Ohio State past Notre Dame in the 2024 national championship game. That was over a year ago, though.

NFL teams certainly start rookie QBs in Week 1, but those are usually top draft picks, not sixth rounders. Plus, they do get the benefit of offseason activities, training camp, and preseason before they start a regular-season game.

Now, if the Steelers ultimately go with Will Howard in 2026, he would obviously have gotten plenty of action in the preseason. Just like any incoming rookie a team plans to start. After all, 2026 is essentially Howard’s rookie year in terms of playing time. He does have a year of being in an NFL environment in his back pocket, though.

That said, what Fittipaldo says makes sense. The Steelers want to compete this year. They probably feel like Aaron Rodgers is their best option for that to happen. Yes, we all want to see if Will Howard can be an NFL-caliber quarterback. Barring injury, we will see him in the preseason this year.

However, don’t expect Will Howard to start Week 1. At least, Ray Fittipaldo doesn’t.