Steelers' Drew Allar Just Made A Rough First Impression During Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a surprising move when they selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The decision immediately sparked plenty of discussion among fans, especially regarding what it meant for Will Howard, the 2025 sixth-round pick who was not taken by Mike McCarthy. With both quarterbacks now in the building, the Steelers have created an intriguing developmental competition between two young signal-callers looking to prove they can become reliable NFL options.

Both Howard and Allar have a legitimate opportunity over the next few seasons to establish themselves, whether that means becoming dependable backups or potentially making a push to become the future face of the franchise. 

At this point, no one truly knows how the quarterback room will develop, but inside the building, McCarthy appears confident in the potential of both of his young projects. The Steelers clearly believe there is something worth developing with each quarterback, and now the focus turns toward how they progress under the coaching staff.

Naturally, when training camp practices kicked off in Latrobe, Allar’s every rep was going to be watched closely. However, it is important to remember that not every mistake during camp is a major concern, and not every impressive throw should be viewed as a defining moment. 

Training camp is filled with variables that fans, and even some observers, cannot fully account for, from defensive looks to play design, coaching adjustments, and the developmental process taking place behind the scenes. Steelers fans already know McCarthy is working with Allar on rebuilding and refining parts of his mechanics, so a slower progression early in camp should not come as a surprise. 

Developmental quarterbacks often go through moments where they are adjusting their fundamentals before everything starts to click. Still, while keeping that context in mind, Steeler Nation Insider Brandon Wallace was watching closely during practice and noticed some early struggles from Allar as he began his first training camp with the team.

"Allar comes in and throws a deep shot to Hurleman who beats Spears-Jennings for a big gain," Wallace posted on X. "A few plays later though, he throws the first INT of camp. Payton Wilson comes down with it off a deflection."

Interestingly, after throwing the first interception of training camp, Allar quickly showed the type of arm talent that made him an intriguing third-round selection. He came back and launched a deep pass down the field that ultimately did not result in a completion, but the throw itself reportedly had everyone paying attention. 

It was a reminder that while there will be growing pains, there are also going to be moments where Allar flashes the physical tools that made the Steelers believe he could develop into something special. Still, it didn't develop into anything.

"A few plays later, Allar comes in and throws a Hail Mary," Wallace wrote. "Not sure if they told him to do that or what, but it was up in the air forever. It ends up falling to the ground. He’s definitely looked a little like a rookie today, that’s for sure."

Steelers Must Be Patient With Allar

Naturally, the Steelers are going to have to remain patient with Allar as he continues adjusting to the NFL level and working through the changes being implemented by McCarthy. Development is rarely a straight line for young quarterbacks, especially ones being asked to refine their mechanics and rebuild parts of their game. 

Early mistakes are going to happen, and the important part will be how Allar responds and continues to improve throughout the process. A few plays later, Wallace pointed out that Allar redeemed himself with a touchdown throw. This was a huge moment for the rookie to gain some confidence after some early blunders.

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