Here’s to the Quarterback Competition of the Future. Maybe.
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have the present matter to deal with as they wait on definitive word from Aaron Rodgers about whether he’ll return for a 22nd NFL season.
Yet in drafting Penn State’s Drew Allar with a third-round pick on Friday night – a year after onboarding former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard with a fourth-round pick – the Steelers are loaded with potential A-Rod understudies.
Hey, you can never have enough quarterbacks, right?
Well, yes and no. If you don’t have THE quarterback, you don’t have A quarterback.
2026 NFL Draft Round 2 and 3 grades: Analysis for every pick
In the meantime, Allar can hop on the learning curve alongside Howard as they try to prove themselves as viable options to cut it in the NFL. It’s quite the plot twist for a franchise held up by the drama surrounding Rodgers and the possibility that he might retire rather than reunite with Mike McCarthy and run it back for another shot at glory.
Allar, picked 76th overall, has attractive size and arm strength, yet his inconsistency has raised eyebrows. Then his senior season was cut short in October by a broken ankle.
Now he’s a project for McCarthy, the new Steelers coach, whose track record for developing quarterbacks includes his work with Dak Prescott, Aaron Brooks and, well, Rodgers. Add the potential opportunity to be in the same room with Rodgers, and Allar has certainly landed in a good spot.
33. San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, MississippiThe 2026 NFL Draft continues Friday, April 24, as teams move into Rounds 2 and 3.See how the next wave of prospects comes off the board as draft weekend rolls on.
34. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
36. Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
38. Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
39. Cleveland Browns: WR Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
40. Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
41. Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
42. New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
43. Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
44. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri