The Pittsburgh Steelers have just wrapped up the 2026 NFL Draft, and the organization has been getting mixed reviews about the new draft class. There were some questionable picks that were made by the Steelers throughout the event, and the fact that the franchise is bringing 10 new drafted players into the fold is highly controversial. That is a big draft class and every player won't make the final roster, but Pittsburgh probably had a hard time moving off of some of the team's later selections. There are some rookies coming to town that will hopefully make an impact, but there were also some questionable selections.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Owner Art Rooney II on the field at a team practice while having a discussion.
The fan base seems to come to a consensus on the superlatives for the 2026 draft class in Pittsburgh. The most exciting selection was wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round, while the most controversial selections were Kaden Wetjen in the fourth and Drew Allar in the third. It was known that the Steelers had done their homework on the quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans were not expecting a quarterback to be picked at the 76th overall selection, especially not a raw prospect like Allar. Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning and shared what might have been a contributing factor in the selection.
"They have a well-regarded head coach who is known for developing quarterbacks," Fittipaldo said. "Mike [McCarthy] spoke up early in the process; he said he wanted to get a quarterback in this draft -- even though it's not known as a great quarterback class. He had his eye on a couple. We saw Carson Beck go early in that third round. When that happened guys, I was wondering, 'Is the run on quarterbacks coming?' I would have to think Carson Beck going where he did likely affected that Allar had to go at 76, rather than at 85 or 99, where they probably wanted to pick him. But I have no problem with that pick."
Mike McCarthy's background in being able to develop quarterbacks certainly factored into Pittsburgh drafting a quarterback, and Carson Beck being selected with the first pick in the third round may have rushed the process. The Steelers could have been worried that a run on quarterbacks was coming, which forced the organization's hand with the 76th overall selection.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Drew Allar walks out on stage during the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers showed some interest in a handful of quarterbacks prior to the 2026 NFL Draft. The team reportedly loved Beck, but he went before the Steelers could grab him. Beck, Allar, and Cole Payton were the three quarterbacks that the franchise hosted on pre-draft visits, while other quarterbacks were talked to at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Pittsburgh was flush with draft capital, and the franchise went into the third round holding the 76th, 85th, and 99th overall selections. Had Allar been selected with the last pick of the third round, there may not have been as much of an uproar about the pick. Fittipaldo believes the Arizona Cardinals grabbing Beck forced Pittsburgh's hand with its first pick in the third. For what it's worth, the next quarterback was not selected until the 110th pick. That may not have been the case if Allar was still on the board though.
Kirby Lee / Imagn Images
Steelers' Drew Allar goes through drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2026.
Steelers' Drew Allar Has All The Tools To Succeed
Allar is known as a raw prospect, but he has potential. This stems from the tools he has to succeed. He has great size, a big arm, and elite athleticism at the quarterback position. However, he also has some great tools around him. McCarthy has a great history of working with quarterbacks, and there is a chance that Allar may be in the same quarterback room as Aaron Rodgers. He is in a great spot to develop and learn, which could lead to him being a decent starter.
What do you think about Fittipaldo's theory on the Allar pick? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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