The Pittsburgh Steelers have added another intriguing name to their ongoing quarterback conversation: Drew Allar. With the team's recent draft pick, it's clear they're investing in long-term stability at a position that has often been a source of frustration. Head coach Mike McCarthy isn't wasting any time outlining his vision for the young signal-caller.
"He's physically gifted," McCarthy said after the rookie minicamp. "He's a gifted thrower of the football, but he's no different than any other young quarterback that I've had the opportunity to work with. There's a lot of work ahead, and we're able to adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him."
Allar brings a fascinating profile to the Steelers' quarterback room. A former five-star recruit from Medina High School in Ohio, he was a three-year starter at Penn State, posting an impressive 26-9 record. Over that span, he threw for 7,402 yards with a 63.2% completion rate, along with 61 touchdowns against just 13 interceptions. However, his draft stock took a hit after a disappointing 2025 season that was cut short by a nasty ankle injury.
On most quarterback big boards, Allar hovered in the middle of the Top 10, often swapping spots with Carson Beck. At 6-foot-5¼ and 228 pounds, he has the prototypical NFL frame scouts love. His arm strength is undeniable, and he earned a reputation for fearless, gunslinging throws at Penn State. But those traits were less effective in 2025, and his biggest red flags remain poor footwork and inconsistent decision-making. Fortunately, with a quarterback guru like McCarthy at the helm, Allar is in good hands.
According to ESPN insider Missi Mathews, Allar has been receiving "one-on-one" instruction from McCarthy and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, with a heavy focus on refining his lower body mechanics and footwork. Still, McCarthy has made it clear that his quarterback formula requires depth—he needs three capable signal-callers. Drew Allar is undoubtedly one of them. Joining him is second-year quarterback Will Howard, who will serve as Allar's primary competition and mentor as the Steelers build for the future.