Full Breakdown
Steelers Draft Drew Allar in Third Round: A High-Risk Quarterback Project
4/26/2026, 11:38:28 AM
Draft Selection of Drew Allar (No. 76, 2026 NFL Draft)
On Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers used the 76th overall pick—acquired in the George Pickens trade—to select Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Context and Rationale
The Steelers hired head coach Mike McCarthy in 2025 to revitalize a quarterback room lacking a clear successor to Aaron Rodgers and to address the team's recent struggles at the position. The front office, led by GM Omar Khan, sought an AFC North-type passer with size, arm strength, and cold-weather experience.
Primary Participants
Mike McCarthy (head coach), Omar Khan (GM), Tom Arth (quarterbacks coach), Drew Allar (prospect), Aaron Rodgers (potential incumbent), Will Howard (2025 sixth-round QB) and Mason Rudolph (veteran backup) are the primary participants.
Quantitative Profile
Allar stands 6-5, 228–235 lb, with 32¾-inch arms and 9-inch hands. At Penn State he completed 63 % for 7,402 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs in 2024; his senior year ended with a broken ankle, which limited his final college games.
Why It Matters
If McCarthy refines Allar’s mechanics, Pittsburgh could secure a franchise quarterback at third-round value, easing uncertainty over Rodgers’ future and could influence contract negotiations. Failure would waste a high pick and leave the team without a clear long-term answer.
Official Statements & Organizational Outlook
McCarthy praised Allar’s first-impression qualities and growth potential. Allar said he is eager to learn from McCarthy’s pedigree. Arth highlighted Allar’s size, hands and arm. The staff also noted Allar’s self-awareness about consistency. The organization said Allar will begin as a developmental player behind Rodgers.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts call the pick a reach, noting Allar’s inconsistency, footwork flaws and a season-ending ankle injury, and risk of allocating a valuable third-round asset. Some argue Pittsburgh could have waited for a later round or a more polished prospect.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
ESPN insider Dan Graziano projects Allar could start in 2027, while other sources view him as a long-term backup and the timeline for a potential quarterback transition. Rodgers’ 2026 status remains unconfirmed, and the Steelers have not disclosed specific developmental milestones.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think, like anything, I believe in first impressions,” — Mike McCarthy, Steelers head coach
- “Yeah, I’m really excited to learn under Coach McCarthy.” — Drew Allar, quarterback
- “He has rare size, big hands, and I think what’s most exciting, certainly when you’re talking about the quarterback position, is can this guy throw the football? And I think he throws it as well as any quarterback in this draft class,” — Tom Arth, Steelers quarterbacks coach
- “We’ll have a great plan for that,” — Tom Arth, Steelers quarterbacks coach
- “He’s a gym rat, loves football, cares deeply about being great. If he gets in the right system, guys, he could be a better NFL quarterback than he was in college in the quarterback run game.” — Joel Klatt, NFL Network analyst
What’s Next
Allar will attend rookie minicamp in May 2026, then develop behind Rodgers while competing with Howard for backup duties. The 2027 draft strategy will depend on Rodgers’ retirement decision and Allar’s progress.
