Steelers' Drew Allar Displays Rare Ability That Has Mike McCarthy Taking Notice

The Pittsburgh Steelers have received encouraging signs from rookie quarterback Drew Allar since selecting him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. His impressive preseason debut created excitement, but his development away from the spotlight could be even more important.

Allar completed 10 of his 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns during Pittsburgh's 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He also scored on the ground, helping the Steelers pull away while displaying the size, arm talent and composure that made him an intriguing draft prospect.

Producing against preseason competition is encouraging, but Pittsburgh needs evidence that Allar can improve the technical areas that contributed to his inconsistent final season at Penn State. Head Coach Mike McCarthy provided exactly that while discussing the rookie's progress via Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh.

"His ability to auto-correct and have a clear understanding, that's important," McCarthy said. "He's a very astute player."

McCarthy specifically praised Allar for beginning to correct his own footwork. That ability could become more important to his future than anything he accomplished against Green Bay. Quarterback coaches can identify mechanical problems and explain how to correct them, but the player must recognize when those issues occur during a live rep. Allar beginning to make those adjustments himself shows that he is processing the coaching instead of merely listening to it.

Footwork affects nearly everything a quarterback does. Poor positioning can disrupt timing, reduce accuracy and prevent a passer from properly transferring his weight. Those problems become increasingly difficult to overcome when facing NFL pressure and tighter passing windows. Allar already possesses the physical traits Pittsburgh cannot teach. He stands over 6-foot-5, has a powerful arm and entered the NFL with considerable starting experience. His biggest questions involve consistency, accuracy and whether he can turn those tools into dependable quarterback play.

The Steelers drafted Allar after a difficult 2025 season that ended with a broken ankle. He underwent surgery after starting only six games, making his performance against Green Bay his first live game action in nearly a year. That context makes his debut more impressive, but one preseason performance should not dramatically change Pittsburgh's quarterback hierarchy. Allar still has considerable ground to cover before threatening Will Howard or Mason Rudolph.

Howard also performed well against Green Bay, completing seven of nine passes for 86 yards. Rudolph remains the experienced option behind Aaron Rodgers, giving Pittsburgh a crowded quarterback room with limited opportunities available. 

McCarthy's repeated praise is encouraging, although it is fair to wonder how much of it is designed to publicly build confidence throughout the position. A new head coach gains nothing by placing unnecessary pressure on either young quarterback during August. However, McCarthy identifying a specific improvement carries more meaning than offering generic praise. Calling Allar astute and highlighting his ability to correct his footwork provides insight into how he is responding inside the meeting room and on the practice field.

Steelers Could Have A Real 2027 Competition

Rodgers is expected to play his final NFL season in 2026, leaving Pittsburgh without an established starter for 2027. The Steelers must use this season to determine whether Howard or Allar can become part of their long-term plan. Allar does not need to win the backup job immediately. His rookie season should be focused on rebuilding his mechanics, learning McCarthy's offense and proving he can consistently stack productive practices.

Some Steelers fans believe that Allar will make a massive developmental leap and enter the competition to start in 2027. That does not mean Pittsburgh should hand him the job, but he could force the organization to give him a legitimate opportunity. His debut proved he can produce in a game. McCarthy's latest comments suggest Allar is also improving between those visible moments. That combination gives Pittsburgh a reason to believe his development could move faster than originally expected. 

There remains a long way to go, and preseason success has fooled teams before. Allar must repeat his performance, continue correcting his mechanics and show that his decision-making holds up when defenses become more complicated. Still, the rare ability to recognize and correct his own mistakes is an excellent foundation. If Allar continues developing at this pace, Pittsburgh's 2027 quarterback competition may already have one of its most fascinating candidates.

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