The Pittsburgh Steelers had a very exciting showing on Thursday night as the team won its first preseason game of the 2026 season by defeating the Green Bay Packers 28-9. The product on the field ignited a ton of optimism within the fan base, even though it was just preseason. Every quarterback that took a snap on the contest for the Steelers played well and looked good, but the star of the show was rookie quarterback Drew Allar. He was consistent with his accuracy, and he flashed his improvisation as he was able to move around in the pocket to keep plays alive.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar (16) leaves the field after playing the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.
The rookie quarterback impressed as he accounted for three touchdowns on the night. He ran in a score and also passed for two touchdowns while throwing just three incompletions in the game. A lot of members of the NFL zeitgeist are warning fans not to overreact, but it is hard not to when the franchise has been so desperate for a franchise quarterback over the years. Also, it isn't just the fans that are speaking highly of Allar. Head Coach Mike McCarthy went on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday and shared how the organization thought of Allar when they picked him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
"First and foremost, if we go back to the draft process, when we drafted Drew, we felt like we were getting a first-round pick," McCarthy said. "Just the value that our personnel department had on him you know, coming out of his junior year. You sit there, you listen to all the reports, and as you talk about the timeline of his career, what happened his senior year, he had the injury and so forth, so, all that's holding true."
McCarthy revealed that the organization felt that Allar could have been a first-round talent at the quarterback position, and that was kind of always the thought surrounding Allar. He just needed to put together a strong season in his senior year to cement that notion. That obviously did not happen as Penn State struggled mightily and Allar suffered a season-ending injury in October.
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Steelers' Drew Allar throws on the run during a training camp practice in 2026.
Going into the 2026 NFL Draft it was thought by many that Allar would go in the third or the fourth round, but not many people thought he would go to Pittsburgh. When the franchise selected him a lot of fans were surprised, but it turns out the organization has always thought very highly of him, going back to his junior season at Penn State. In his sophomore and junior years combined Allar threw for nearly 6,000 yards, 49 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. He was seen as a fringe first-rounder if he would have entered the 2025 NFL Draft, but he decided to wait and stay at school for his senior season.
He and Penn State had a disappointing year, as Allar only played in six games before getting hurt, and he threw for eight touchdowns and three interceptions in that time. That hurt his draft stock, but it worked out for him as he now has a chance to flourish in Pittsburgh.
Steelers' Drew Allar Seems To Have A Bright Future In Pittsburgh
It is just one preseason game, but it is hard not to think about what could be with Allar and the Steelers. The team currently does not have a starting quarterback under contract for the 2027 season, and Allar looked like he could maybe be one in the future. If he stacks two more good-to-great preseason performances heading into 2026, the organization should be content with giving him a chance to have a go at the starting role in 2027. Will Howard is also under contract for the 2027 season, and he looked good as well against Green Bay.
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