The Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the most fascinating selections of the 2026 NFL Draft when they used the 76th overall pick on Drew Allar. The former Penn State quarterback entered the NFL with undeniable physical talent, but Pittsburgh knew it would take patience to transform those tools into a complete professional quarterback.
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Steelers' Drew Allar during training camp with Mason Rudolph in 2026.
Allar has displayed rookie moments throughout training camp, which should surprise absolutely nobody. Mike McCarthy began rebuilding his mechanics inside the Steelers' quarterback school, forcing Allar to reconsider details he had relied upon throughout his college career. That process was never expected to produce instant perfection.
Still, the potential has always been impossible to ignore. Allar possesses the arm strength and physical profile that can make a coaching staff dream about developing its future franchise quarterback. The biggest question is whether he can consistently combine those gifts with sound footwork, intelligent decisions, and precise ball placement.
Steelers insider Chris Carter finally witnessed a practice where those pieces began coming together. While speaking on the Locked On Steelers podcast, Carter explained that Allar responded to his earlier rookie moments with a performance that demanded attention.
"I think the name that a lot of people probably want to hear, and someone is going to be yelling into my screen when I say this, someone who bounced back in practice and did Saturday was Drew Allar," Carter said. "Drew Allar, I thought, lit it up."
That should immediately excite Steeler Nation. Allar was not necessarily struggling before this performance, but he was still learning how to operate inside McCarthy's offense. Saturday provided Carter with his first genuine look at the type of rare talent Pittsburgh believed it was drafting.
Even more encouraging was how Allar produced those results. This was not simply a quarterback relying on a powerful arm and hoping his receivers could make plays. Carter saw improved reads, cleaner footwork, and accurate throws working together.
"Drew Allar had some of the best deep throws that we had seen from him in training camp, and consistently," Carter said. "There were three straight deep balls I saw from him that were on the money. Good read, good process, and good footwork. He was just delivering the football the way it was supposed to, and that was an encouraging sign."
Allar reportedly delivered a perfectly placed seam throw to Robert Tonyan that likely would have resulted in a touchdown during a game. He also connected with Brandon Smith on a wheel route despite tight coverage, placing the football where only his receiver could make the play. Carter additionally noticed Allar hitting receivers in stride instead of forcing them to slow down and adjust.
Carter also noted that Allar missed some easier opportunities. He failed to connect with players in the flat and overthrew screen passes. There is no reason to be concerned about those mistakes at this stage. Those are precisely the types of inconsistencies expected from a rookie undergoing a complete mechanical and mental reconstruction.
Steelers Have A Rare Opportunity With Allar And Will Howard
McCarthy's quarterback school is central to Allar's development. Pittsburgh did not draft him to remain the same quarterback he was in college. McCarthy is rebuilding his mechanics, sharpening his processing, and preparing him to eventually command an NFL offense.
Allar is still a developmental gamble, but performances like this reveal legitimate franchise potential. He is not ready to start, and nothing is guaranteed, but the foundation is becoming visible much earlier than expected.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Drew Allar walks out on stage during the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers must also continue developing Will Howard. The dream outcome is one becoming the starter, while the other grows into a dependable long-term backup. That would be rare, but Pittsburgh should pursue it. Allar may still make rookie mistakes, yet he has a real chance to become the defining story of Pittsburgh's preseason this summer.
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