Story perspectives

Steelers Draft 76th-Pick Injured QB Allar; Rodgers Safe

4/25/2026

Summary

Steelers Draft Allar

The Steelers drafted quarterback Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick.
Allar missed the end of the 2025 season after a broken left ankle in October, finishing with 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns and a 3,327-yard season.
GM Omar Khan said the pick is on the table, noting that head coach McCarthy believes it will not affect Aaron Rodgers.
Day two drew 260,000 fans as Browns fan Allar embraced the Steelers.

Summary

Rudolph Trade Talks

Steelers could trade backup quarterback Mason Rudolph for a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
Rudolph signed a two-year deal last offseason as backup if Aaron Rodgers declines Pittsburgh.
He played five 2025 games, starting once, with 310 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
If no trade materializes, team will cut Rudolph during training-camp cuts, though analyst Noah Strackbein says a deal could close before the offseason ends, at the 2026 NFL Draft.

Summary

Allar Joins Steelers

The Steelers acquired the 76th overall pick by trading wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback J.J. Allar said he is really excited to learn under Coach McCarthy.
Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth praised Allar’s self-awareness and identified footwork and consistency as his first tasks to fix.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. called the selection the “perfect quarterback addition” and named Pittsburgh a Day-2 winner.

History

Historical Context

In 1970, after a 1-13 season, the Steelers won a coin toss and used the first overall pick to select quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who anchored a dynasty that captured four Super Bowls. The franchise’s later quarterback gaps, highlighted by missing Dan Marino in 1983, make the 2025 selection of rookie Drew Allar at No. 76 a pivotal attempt to secure a long-term signal-caller.

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Steelers Draft Allar

The Steelers drafted quarterback Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick.
Allar missed the end of the 2025 season after a broken left ankle in October, finishing with 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns and a 3,327-yard season.
GM Omar Khan said the pick is on the table, noting that head coach McCarthy believes it will not affect Aaron Rodgers.
Day two drew 260,000 fans as Browns fan Allar embraced the Steelers.

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