Steelers' Drew Allar Displays Incredible "God Given" Gift But 1 Alarming Problem Keeps Showing Up

The Pittsburgh Steelers knew exactly what they were getting when they selected Drew Allar. They weren’t drafting a polished quarterback expected to compete for immediate playing time. They were betting on one of the most physically gifted passers to enter the organization in years and trusting Mike McCarthy to mold that raw talent into something much more. Just a few practices into training camp at Saint Vincent College, the physical tools have already become impossible to ignore.

That is exactly why what Allar has displayed at training camp, both good and bad, has been so revealing. His physical traits are why Pittsburgh believed he was worth the investment, but the questions surrounding other areas of his game haven’t completely disappeared.

Steelers fans have quickly noticed the flashes, but so have reporters covering every practice. During an appearance discussing Pittsburgh’s training camp on The Yinziders, Mike DeFabo shared what has impressed him most about Allar while also pointing out the biggest hurdle the rookie still faces.

"Early on, let’s just start with Drew Allar," DeFabo said. "Clearly, the arm talent is here at Saint Vincent College. It’s God-given. The ball explodes out of his hands. You see him throwing the ball 40 to 50 yards down the field, and it looks effortless. All those things, the long arms, the big hands, the frame, all the physical traits you can’t teach, have been on display without a question."

That evaluation probably won’t surprise anyone who watched Allar throughout his college career. His arm has never been questioned. If anything, it has always been viewed as one of the strongest among quarterbacks entering the league. The real challenge has never been generating velocity. 

It’s consistently placing the football exactly where it needs to be. That concern has surfaced during Steelers training camp as well. While discussing Allar’s early practices, DeFabo explained that accuracy continues to separate the rookie’s tremendous upside from becoming a complete quarterback.

"The question mark with Drew Allar comes with his accuracy," DeFabo said. "I remember two days ago, they were doing quarterback accuracy drills where they were trying to throw the ball through a small slot. I think he was the only one who didn’t get it. At one point, I think he even overthrew the net entirely. You just see a handful of those throws from Drew Allar that make you go, 'Eww,' just some overthrows. The way I look at Drew Allar, though, is he’s really in a good situation here with Mike McCarthy."

That final point may be the most important one. Accuracy is one of the hardest quarterback traits to project, but mechanics can absolutely improve. 

Steelers Are In Perfect Spot With Allar

McCarthy has spent decades developing quarterbacks at the NFL level and now has the luxury of doing so without rushing Allar into meaningful snaps.

With Aaron Rodgers leading the offense this season and Will Howard also competing for developmental reps, Pittsburgh can afford to be patient. Every practice, meeting, and preseason rep becomes part of a long-term investment instead of a race to get Allar onto the field.

The Steelers don’t need Allar to look perfect in August. They need him to continue refining the details that match his elite physical gifts. If the accuracy becomes more consistent over the next year or two, Pittsburgh could eventually have a quarterback whose ceiling is as high as anyone from his draft class.

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