The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing something unique for the final week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs). While there was a strong focus on getting the veterans back for the early part of this phase, these last few practices will be all about working with the young guys and getting them more acclimated to the NFL. Not only is this good for their long-term development, but it should help them become quality spot starters in case something happens to the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart, so this is a big week of work.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Will Howard gets ready to unleash a pass as he runs through a drill as the team works out during the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
That's the case with the quarterbacks as well. During a post-practice interview, rookie Drew Allar explained what it's like without the veteran quarterbacks on the field for a little while.
"It's definitely a big week," Allar said. "I try to take as many mental reps as I can throughout the practice, but it's definitely different when you're the one taking those reps and kind of logging those in your memory bank and just different route concepts versus different coverages. So it's definitely a big week, just trying to take it a play at a time and growing from each play whether it's a good throw or bad throw or whatever the case is: just learn from it and grow from it."
Throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Allar has been QB4 on the depth chart, and that's how training camp will likely go as well. That means he got very few actual reps, and he is seen as more of a scout-team quarterback for now as he tries to refine his mechanics and show the upside that many scouts saw in him during his time with the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Matthew O'Haren / Imagn-Images
Steelers' new quarterback Drew Allar during his time with Penn State in the 2025 season.
This week, however, he is getting QB2 reps with Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph taking this time off physically before training camp starts up. Even when the regular season begins and a passer likely gets cut, Allar is expected to get very few reps of that caliber, if any. That's why this is such a big week for him: this could be the last time he sees something more than scout team action until 2027.
Rodgers has been praised for working with Allar. This is the week to see if his lessons and mentorship have been paying off at all or not. It's also a good way to develop some sort of chemistry with young guys like Germie Bernard, who was a part of the rookie passer's 2026 draft class. On the surface, it doesn't look like much, but this could have a big impact on how well the third-round pick does to begin the 2027 offseason program.
Steelers' Unfortunate Quarterback Situation Bodes Well For Allar
The Steelers are expected to be interested in drafting a quarterback in 2027, but unless this class is truly generational, there likely won't be a good option in the first round. There is a very realistic scenario where the first 4-5 picks are at that position, meaning everyone else will be left with scraps. That means Pittsburgh will likely end up selecting another Day 2 guy to compete with the others.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images
Steelers' Drew Allar throws the ball during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in Pittsburgh in 2026.
What that means is 2027 will likely be a wide-open quarterback competition. Odds are Will Howard will be QB1 to begin that offseason, but Allar would still get the chance to steal the starting spot from him if he develops well enough. That's where this week of OTAs comes in key. Howard has been getting these reps at QB1/QB2, but Allar can also learn from his short time in that same role.
What do you think about Allar highlighting this final week of OTAs now that he is getting real, physical reps? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation