Pat Freiermuth Roasts Steelers' Rookie QB Drew Allar After Undeniable Error

After Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the decision to select Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the narratives and headlines surrounding the young quarterback were running rampant. For the Steelers, Allar was once viewed as a potential generational talent during his time in the college football ranks. However, a series of unfortunate moments, costly mistakes, and struggles on some of the biggest stages caused his draft stock to take a significant hit.

As if Allar’s inconsistent performances were not enough to raise questions, a season-ending injury during his final year of college only complicated his evaluation even further. While many draft analysts believe Allar has the physical tools and potential to develop into an NFL quarterback, the general consensus was that he was more likely to begin his career as a backup rather than immediately become a franchise starter. 

His slide to the 76th overall pick in the draft reflected those concerns, although draft position only tells part of the story. Once players step onto the field for training camp, their draft status quickly becomes secondary to their performance. Now, Allar has the opportunity to compete and learn alongside Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard as the Steelers begin training camp in Latrobe. 

The situation is both exciting and polarizing for fans. Every inaccurate throw will be heavily criticized, while every impressive play will be celebrated as a sign of his potential. The pressure surrounding the rookie quarterback will be intense, especially with expectations already elevated because of his PSU background and first-round talent conversations from earlier in his career.

Steelers insider Christopher Carter revealed a hilarious moment from Wednesday’s practice after Allar made an ugly mistake throwing the football. According to Carter, Steelers veteran tight end Pat Freiermuth, another former Nittany Lion, wasted no time giving his fellow PSU product some playful criticism. 

The lighthearted exchange showed the type of veteran presence Allar will have around him as he adjusts to the NFL and works to prove that his draft-day slide does not define his future.

"The Steelers’ third-team offense featured QB4 Drew Allar," Carter wrote. "[Allar] missed on his first throw, then completed his next pass. Pat Freiermuth, lining up on defense, joked with him saying, 'I would’ve picked that off, bro.'"

That kind of interaction is nothing shocking to hear considering the situation Allar is currently in. The rookie quarterback is being asked to relearn and refine many aspects of his game under McCarthy, a coach who has built a reputation as a quarterback developer throughout his career. 

McCarthy’s track record of working with quarterbacks and helping them maximize their abilities is one of the biggest reasons some people are not ready to write off Allar’s future. While the rookie may have plenty of flaws to clean up, the Steelers clearly believe the tools are there for him to eventually develop into a reliable NFL quarterback.

Steelers Have Different Vibe In Camp Currently

However, the bigger takeaway from this moment is not the mistake itself, but what it says about the current atmosphere inside Steelers training camp. Mistakes are going to happen, especially for a young quarterback adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. What matters is how those mistakes are handled afterward. 

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