Steelers Remain Encouraged By Rookie QB Drew Allar After Rough Start: "Routine Throws"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made an intriguing move when they selected former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. At one point during his college career, many Steelers fans would have been thrilled to land Allar that late. However, after some disappointing performances on the biggest stage at the collegiate level and a season-ending injury, his draft stock fell significantly. That didn't stop Mike McCarthy and the Steelers' front office from believing he was worth taking a chance on.

The Steelers enter 2026 with Aaron Rodgers expected to start under center for what he has repeatedly indicated will be the final season of his career. Beyond Rodgers, the quarterback room is filled with uncertainty. Mason Rudolph has little long-term value as a starting option, while Allar and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard represent the organization's young developmental quarterbacks. 

Howard has generated plenty of buzz despite not being drafted by the current regime, and early in training camp, he appears to have the edge. Meanwhile, Allar is working to prove he can develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback.

That's why Steeler Nation has been paying such close attention to Allar's progress throughout training camp. His first practice wasn't particularly encouraging, as the rookie experienced the growing pains that often come with adjusting to the NFL. While there were flashes of his arm talent, the overall performance reflected a quarterback still trying to find his footing against professional competition.

According to Steelers insider Christopher Carter, who spoke on 93.7 The Fan Friday morning, Allar looked noticeably better during his second practice. While Allar still has work to do to climb the depth chart, his response after a difficult first day is an encouraging sign as he begins his NFL development.

"Drew Allar is still in fourth, but I will say, after a really rough first day, I thought his second day was a lot smoother," Carter said while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday. "He made a lot fewer mistakes, made more routine throws. That's the kind of stuff he needs to continue doing this camp to get his feet under him."

Obviously, Allar's development isn't going to be linear. He's shown flashes throughout his college career and even during the Steelers' offseason program, but those moments won't matter unless he eventually develops into a reliable starting quarterback. That's a tall task for both Allar and Howard, especially considering the expectations that come with trying to be the franchise QB in the Steel City.

Still, the Steelers believe they have two low-risk investments with intriguing upside. Whether either quarterback reaches that ceiling remains to be seen, but Pittsburgh is giving both every opportunity to develop. With McCarthy now overseeing their growth, the organization is hoping his track record with quarterbacks can help turn potential into production.

Steelers Are Excited About How Allar Bounced Back

The encouraging part for Allar isn't that he suddenly looked like the answer after one better practice. It's that he responded the right way. Young quarterbacks are going to have rough days, especially early in training camp. What coaches want to see is whether those mistakes carry over into the next practice or whether the player learns from them. By all accounts, Allar cleaned up the routine throws and looked much more comfortable on Day 2.

That's the standard he'll have to keep meeting throughout camp. Every practice is another opportunity to show the Steelers he belongs in their long-term plans. He doesn't have to win a quarterback competition this summer with Rodgers leading the offense, but he does have to keep stacking positive days. If he can do that consistently, the conversation surrounding his future in Pittsburgh could look very different by the end of training camp.

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