Full Breakdown
Drew Allar’s Third-Round Selection: Implications for the Steelers’ Quarterback Room
4/26/2026, 12:40:22 AM
The Draft Decision
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The pick makes Allar the fourth quarterback drafted by Pittsburgh since Ben Roethlisberger’s 2021 retirement and the highest-drafted quarterback since Kenny Pickett’s 20th-overall selection in 2022.
College Journey and Production
Allar entered Penn State as the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, a five-star recruit from Medina, Ohio, listed at 6-5 and 230 lb. He opened his freshman season with 325 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia, but never again topped 300 yards and finished the year last in the Big Ten for passes over 10 yards. Over his career he completed 63 % of passes for 7,402 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per attempt and 158 yards per game versus Power-Four opponents. He threw deep passes on only 9.2 % of attempts, the nation’s second-worst rate. Under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, his completion rose to 66.5 %, yards per attempt to 8.4, and deep-pass accuracy to 48.9 % nationally, earning a 90.5 passing grade. A broken left ankle in a loss to Northwestern ended his senior season and preceded the firing of head coach James Franklin.
Steelers’ Official Outlook
Head coach Mike McCarthy said he prefers three quarterbacks and would consider a fourth on the practice squad. Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth stated that Allar’s presence does not affect Aaron Rodgers’ status. CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo described the Steelers’ quarterback plan as “pretty clear” with Rodgers, Allar, and Will Howard as potential successors. Draft scout Mike Renner called Allar “the perfect quarterback for Mike McCarthy to develop,” noting his size, arm and athleticism while citing a need for improved accuracy.
Critical Perspectives
Analysts point to Allar’s inconsistency, low deep-throw usage and footwork problems under pressure as reasons his college production fell short of expectations. Critics question the value of a third-round pick given Pittsburgh’s simultaneous need for offensive guard, defensive depth and a second wide receiver, and warn that retaining three or four quarterbacks could limit roster flexibility.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Welcome to the Drew Allar era,” — Broadcast announcer
- “The Steelers now appear to be a pretty clear plan at quarterback.” — Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports
- “Allar is the perfect quarterback in this class to take for Mike McCarthy to develop,” — Mike Renner, CBS Sports scout
- “I believe in having three. Potentially, we’d love to have four if we can make one work on the practice squad,” — Mike McCarthy, Steelers head coach
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
McCarthy’s openness to a fourth quarterback conflicts with Arth’s claim that Allar does not impact Rodgers, creating uncertainty about depth-chart hierarchy. The Steelers’ plans for Mason Rudolph and the exact status of Rodgers’ contract remain unspecified.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh’s QB Room
Pittsburgh must resolve Rodgers’ contract while evaluating Allar against Will Howard in training camp. Possible moves include shifting Rudolph to the practice squad, releasing a veteran, or adding a mid-tier quarterback in 2027. If Allar does not secure a long-term role, the team may target another quarterback in the next draft.
